In the final days of 2024, during the busy Christmas and New Year travel season, the world faced four tragic aviation accidents that claimed many lives and raised serious concerns about air travel safety.
Social media was flooded with news and videos of these incidents, which occurred in Canada, Azerbaijan, and most recently, South Korea, where the Jeju Air tragedy resulted in 179 fatalities.
1. Azerbaijan Plane Crash
On Christmas Day, an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet carrying 67 people crashed in western Kazakhstan. The plane veered off its route, ending in a fiery crash near Aktau city, killing 38 people, with 29 survivors.
The flight, J2-8243, was traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Chechnya, but diverted over Russian airspace where reports of Ukrainian drone activity were present. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev claimed the crash resulted from accidental ground fire in Russia and alleged attempts to cover up the incident. While Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized, official statements only confirmed an investigation was underway.
2. Jeju Air Tragedy
On December 31, South Korea faced its worst aviation disaster when a Jeju Air plane carrying 181 passengers crashed during landing. The accident claimed 179 lives, leaving only two survivors with severe injuries.
Shocking video footage showed the plane skidding without landing gear before exploding on impact. Authorities set up a temporary morgue to recover bodies. South Korea declared a seven-day mourning period, and the Jeju Air CEO issued a public apology.
3. Fire on Plane in Canada
On December 28, an Air Canada Express Flight 2259, operated by Pal Airlines, caught fire while landing in Halifax. Passengers reported smoke filling the cabin, but all were safely evacuated.
The flight had arrived from St. John’s, Newfoundland, and while the runway was temporarily closed, operations resumed shortly. No fatalities were reported, but the incident sparked widespread concern.
4. Plane Veering Off Runway in Norway
On the same day, KLM Flight KL1204 from Oslo to Amsterdam was diverted to Sandefjord Airport after a loud noise prompted emergency action. Upon landing, the Boeing 737 veered off the runway into the grass but at low speed.
All 176 passengers and six crew members escaped unharmed. Passengers were transported to Oslo and accommodated until a replacement flight was arranged.
