An Algerian military plane crashed this week field shortly after takeoff at Boufarik airport, southwest of Algiers costing an estimated 257 lives. The accident comes in the wake of continued improvements in air safety according to International Air Transport Association (IATA). 2017 was reportedly a very good year for aviation safety in Sub-Saharan Africa. Some 4.1 billion travellers flew safely on 41.8 million flights.

Since every fatality is a tragedy that robs the continent of the much needed human resource, It is important that African airlines incorporate  IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and  IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) into their operations. African governments must also accelerate the implementation of ICAO’s safety-related standards and recommended practices (SARPS). As of year-end 2017, only 25 African countries had at least 60% SARPS implementation.