Malaysia targets zero fatal commercial aviation accidents by 2028

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is targeting zero fatal accidents in commercial aviation and an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Effective Implementation score of at least 90 per cent by December 2028 under the Malaysia Aviation Safety Plan 2026–2028.

Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan said the plan, launched today, would provide a focused national framework for strengthening aviation safety over the next three years.

"These objectives include maintaining zero fatal accidents in commercial aviation, achieving an ICAO Effective Implementation score of at least 90 per cent by December 2028, reducing serious incidents and runway safety events, and strengthening safety reporting.

"The plan is aligned with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan and the Asia-Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Plan, ensuring that our national priorities contribute to the safety goals we share as a region," he said in his speech at the Malaysia Aviation Safety Seminar 2026 (MASS '26) here.

He said aviation had achieved an extraordinary safety record, but it should never be mistaken for permanence, as it was the result of sustained investment, strong institutions, professional competence and a willingness to learn from every occurrence, including those that did not result in an accident.

He said as technology advanced and aviation operations became more complex, that discipline needed to become even stronger.

"Safety is therefore not simply a standard that we achieve once. It is a discipline that must be practised every day, on every flight and across every part of the aviation system.

"For Malaysia, aviation safety is a national priority," he said, adding that it supported public confidence, protected lives and underpinned the country's tourism, trade, investment and connectivity.

Jana Santhiran said the government's commitment rested on three priorities, beginning with maintaining a capable and effective regulator.

He said risk-based oversight required qualified technical professionals, reliable systems and sustained institutional capacity, adding that the Transport Ministry would continue supporting the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in strengthening and retaining these capabilities.

The second priority, he said, was ensuring safety performance remained measurable and transparent.

"Clear indicators, credible data and timely reporting allow us to identify risks earlier, direct resources where they are most needed and take corrective action before those risks become accidents," he said.

He said more safety reports should not be viewed as evidence that the aviation system was becoming less safe.

"More reporting should not be viewed as evidence of a less safe system. A healthy reporting culture gives us better visibility of hazards, encourages early intervention and allows lessons to be shared before an occurrence becomes an accident," he said.

He said people must be able to report safety concerns responsibly and with confidence that the information would be used to improve the system.

On the third priority, Jana Santhiran said regulation must keep pace with innovation as the industry increasingly adopted new technologies.

He said new technologies could improve situational awareness, decision-making and operational efficiency, but could also introduce new dependencies, cybersecurity concerns and human-factor risks.

"Innovation must therefore advance together with strong governance, assurance and accountability," he said.

He said no government, regulator or operator could deliver aviation safety alone, as cooperation across borders, responsible sharing of safety information and a common commitment to act on evidence were important.