World News

Rating agency identifies safest airlines

Published: Aug. 30, 2011 at 9:31 PM

GENEVA, Switzerland, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- A Swiss agency rating airline safety has released its list of the top 10 airlines based on criteria contributing directly or indirectly to general safety.

The independent Air Transport Rating Agency said in a release Tuesday it bases its ratings on a number of factors including passenger and employee data, number of aircraft operated, average age of aircraft flown, total mileage flown, maintenance capability and the number of accidents in the last 10 years.

The 2011 list, compiled from 2009 data, includes -- in alphabetical, not rating order -- Air France-KLM; AMR Corp. (American Airlines, American Eagles); British Airways; Continental Airlines; Delta Airlines; Japan Airlines; Lufthansa; Southwest Airlines; United Airlines; and US Airways.

ATRA is independent from airlines, manufacturers, regulatory authorities, trade unions and not-for-profit organizations, its release said.

© 2011 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional World News Stories
Top News Construction worker killed in Arizona bridge collapse MESA, Ariz., June 19 (UPI) -- A construction worker was killed early Wednesday when a bridge collapsed outside Phoenix, officials said. Senate shoots down Rand Paul's immigration reform amendment Man allegedly cuts off his hands after stabbing dad Trafficking in Persons Report: U.S. downgrades Russia, China Deceased Swedish patient's body forgotten for days in hospital	Entertainment News Johnny Depp opens up about split from Vanessa Paradis A year after the couple announced their breakup, Johnny Depp has broken his silence on his divorce from Vanessa Paradis. Selena Gomez said to have hooked up with singer Ed Sheeran Lourdes flooding: French floods kill 2, close Catholic pilgrimage site Taj Jackson wedding attended by Kris Jenner, but not Paris Jackson 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini dies in Italy at 51
Business News After 2 years, BAE 'close to sealing Typhoons deal' RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 19 (UPI) -- Britain's BAE Systems, Europe's biggest defense company, reportedly expects to wrap up a price deal with Saudi Arabia for 72 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets after two years of tortuous negotiations. Iraq: Chevron, Total expand Kurdish drilling Designers Dolce and Gabbana given suspended jail terms Markets slide on Fed news 200 Walgreens stores to get solar panels	Odd News Joe Torre's daughter catches falling baby Cristina Torre reportedly saved the life of a baby who fell from an awning in Brooklyn on Wednesday. Bakery provides 'cat' where 'cap' should have been on graduation cake Alleged Walmart shoplifter caught after firing at door, removing pants Two U.S. Navy landing craft up for auction; each seats 200, and a tank Drunken Polish dentist yanks tooth of patient wanting a crown