From Etihad Airways to Qatar Airways, here's a look at the top five world's safest airlines in 2025. This list also includes Air New Zealand, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Virgin Australia.

5 world's safest airlines in 2025 - Check which airline tops list

<p>A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 bound for Melbourne made a emergency landing in New Zealand after flames erupted from an engine shortly after takeoff from Queenstown.</p>

<p>The incident, suspected to be caused by a bird strike, was captured on video showing the plane engulfed in fire.</p>

<p>A Boeing 737-800 jet with 67 passengers and six crew members on board landed in the New Zealand city of Invercargill after the&nbsp;fire&nbsp;on the&nbsp;flight forced a diversion.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A Virgin Australia plane has landed safely in New Zealand after a fire shut down one of its engines. Boeing 737-800 jet was bound for Melbourne, with 67 passengers and six crew members on board, when the engine fire forced a diversion to Invercargill Airport. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VirginAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VirginAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/MKCkhdsQ0m">pic.twitter.com/MKCkhdsQ0m</a></p>
— Aviation Voice (@Aviation_Voice) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aviation_Voice/status/1802656493025865759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The incident may have resulted from a possible bird strike, the airline's chief operations officer, Stuart Aggs, said in an emailed statement.</p>

<p>Panic erupted shortly after takeoff from Queenstown Airport as flames were spotted on the&nbsp;Virgin Australia plane bound for Melbourne. Despite the chaos, the pilots managed a safe emergency landing at a nearby New Zealand airport after shutting down the affected engine.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-secret-service-agent-robbed-at-gunpoint-during-bidens-los-angeles-visit-732649">US Secret Service agent robbed at gunpoint during Biden’s Los Angeles visit</a></p>

<p>“Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Passengers were accommodated overnight in Invercargill and Virgin Australia arranged new flights for their onward journey," the nation’s fire service said.</p>

<p>Notably, the rate of birds striking planes at New Zealand’s airports is about four in every 10,000 aircraft movements, according to the country’s aviation regulator website.</p>

<p>The consequences differ in severity depending on where the aircraft is hit, the size of the birds and the pilot’s reaction, the Civil Aviation Authority says.</p>

<h2><strong>Air Canada fire incident</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier this month, an Air Canada Boeing Flight AC872&nbsp;bound for Paris experienced a mid-air fire shortly after taking off from Toronto Pearson Airport on June 5.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident was successfully managed by the aircrew as the flight made an immediate landing.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/newborn-found-abandoned-on-bridge-umbilical-cord-still-attached-732668">Newborn found abandoned on bridge, umbilical cord still attached</a></p>

<p>As the aircraft climbed, a flash of light erupted from the right engine, followed by a small explosion. A viral video captured the harrowing scene as flames engulfed the plane's tail.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 bound for Melbourne made a emergency landing in New Zealand after flames erupted from an engine shortly after takeoff from Queenstown.

A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 bound for Melbourne made a emergency landing in New Zealand after flames erupted from an engine shortly after takeoff from Queenstown. The incident, suspected to be caused by a bird strike, was captured on video showing the plane engulfed in fire. A Boeing 737-800 jet with 67 passengers and six crew members on board landed in the New Zealand city of Invercargill after the fire on the flight forced a diversion. A Virgin Australia plane has landed safely in New Zealand after a fire shut down one of its engines. Boeing 737-800 jet was bound for Melbourne, with 67 passengers and six crew members on board, when the engine fire forced a diversion to Invercargill Airport. #VirginAustralia pic.twitter.com/MKCkhdsQ0m — Aviation Voice (@Aviation_Voice) June 17, 2024 × The incident may have resulted from a possible bird strike, the airline's chief operations officer, Stuart Aggs, said in an emailed statement. Panic erupted shortly after takeoff from Queenstown Airport as flames were spotted on the Virgin Australia plane bound for Melbourne. Despite the chaos, the pilots managed a safe emergency landing at a nearby New Zealand airport after shutting down the affected engine. Also read: US Secret Service agent robbed at gunpoint during Biden’s Los Angeles visit “Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Passengers were accommodated overnight in Invercargill and Virgin Australia arranged new flights for their onward journey," the nation’s fire service said. Notably, the rate of birds striking planes at New Zealand’s airports is about four in every 10,000 aircraft movements, according to the country’s aviation regulator website. The consequences differ in severity depending on where the aircraft is hit, the size of the birds and the pilot’s reaction, the Civil Aviation Authority says. Air Canada fire incident Earlier this month, an Air Canada Boeing Flight AC872 bound for Paris experienced a mid-air fire shortly after taking off from Toronto Pearson Airport on June 5. The incident was successfully managed by the aircrew as the flight made an immediate landing. Also read: Newborn found abandoned on bridge, umbilical cord still attached As the aircraft climbed, a flash of light erupted from the right engine, followed by a small explosion. A viral video captured the harrowing scene as flames engulfed the plane's tail. (With inputs from agencies)

Virgin Australia plane's engine bursts into flames mid-air after suspected bird strike

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<p>Following the shutdown of one of its engines due to fire, a passenger plane landed safely at an airport in New Zealand on Monday (June 17), according to the country's fire department.</p>

<p>After the fire caused a detour, the Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which was headed for Melbourne, Australia, touched down in the city of Invercargill, New Zealand.</p>

<p>“Virgin Australia flight VA148 departed Queenstown Airport at 5.50 PM, bound for Melbourne. It experienced an issue just after take-off and has been diverted to Invercargill Airport. We will provide further updates as information becomes available,” Queenstown airport authorities said in a post on X.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> | Fire has been seen coming from the engine of an aircraft flying over Queentown tonight with witnesses reporting “loud bangs”.<br />
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The aircraft was diverted to Invercargill Airport and has just made an emergency landing.<br />
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🔗 <a href="https://t.co/1mxdZCNhqz">https://t.co/1mxdZCNhqz</a> <a href="https://t.co/mkcrJ6D8GC">pic.twitter.com/mkcrJ6D8GC</a></p>
— nzherald (@nzherald) <a href="https://twitter.com/nzherald/status/1802600648036229234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a different X post, Drawyah, a social media account that streams train and airplane simulations, stated, "Greetings from Invercargill! The mood is calm in the cabin, a tad shaken but on the ground, as fire crews inspect the plane. Can confirm it was a bird strike on the way out."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Virgin Australia flight VA148 departed Queenstown Airport at 5.50pm, bound for Melbourne. It experienced an issue just after take-off and has been diverted to Invercargill Airport. We will provide further updates as information becomes available.</p>
— Queenstown Airport (ZQN) (@NZQN) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZQN/status/1802594164481343643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Lynn Crosson, shift supervisor for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the plane touched down in Invercargill around fifty minutes after taking off from Queenstown. Fire trucks were available at Invercargill.</p>

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<p>According to Queenstown Airport spokesman Catherine Nind, the source of the engine fire and the number of people on board the aircraft were not immediately known.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">👋 Greetings from Invercargill! Mood is calm in the cabin, a tad shaken but on the ground as fire crews inspect the plane. Can confirm it was a bird strike on the way out. <a href="https://t.co/NBq7GnSR8a">pic.twitter.com/NBq7GnSR8a</a></p>
— Drawyah (@DrawyahYT) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrawyahYT/status/1802595650431001013?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>In an email statement to CBS, Virgin Australia said that "a possible bird strike" might have been the cause of the event.</p>

<p>With a population of 53,000, Queenstown is a popular tourist spot in the South Island of New Zealand, known for its alpine scenery, adventure tourism, and skiing.</p>

<p>According to the country's aviation regulator's website, birds strike planes at New Zealand airports at a rate of roughly four per 10,000 aircraft movements.<br />
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According to the organisation, the severity of the repercussions varies based on the location of the aircraft impact, the size of the birds, and the pilot's response.<br />
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<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Following the shutdown of one of its engines due to fire, a passenger plane landed safely at an airport in New Zealand on Monday (June 17), according to the country's fire department.

Following the shutdown of one of its engines due to fire, a passenger plane landed safely at an airport in New Zealand on Monday (June 17), according to the country's fire department. After the fire caused a detour, the Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which was headed for Melbourne, Australia, touched down in the city of Invercargill, New Zealand. “Virgin Australia flight VA148 departed Queenstown Airport at 5.50 PM, bound for Melbourne. It experienced an issue just after take-off and has been diverted to Invercargill Airport. We will provide further updates as information becomes available,” Queenstown airport authorities said in a post on X. #BREAKING | Fire has been seen coming from the engine of an aircraft flying over Queentown tonight with witnesses reporting “loud bangs”. The aircraft was diverted to Invercargill Airport and has just made an emergency landing. 🔗 https://t.co/1mxdZCNhqz pic.twitter.com/mkcrJ6D8GC — nzherald (@nzherald) June 17, 2024 × In a different X post, Drawyah, a social media account that streams train and airplane simulations, stated, "Greetings from Invercargill! The mood is calm in the cabin, a tad shaken but on the ground, as fire crews inspect the plane. Can confirm it was a bird strike on the way out." Virgin Australia flight VA148 departed Queenstown Airport at 5.50pm, bound for Melbourne. It experienced an issue just after take-off and has been diverted to Invercargill Airport. We will provide further updates as information becomes available. — Queenstown Airport (ZQN) (@NZQN) June 17, 2024 × According to Lynn Crosson, shift supervisor for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the plane touched down in Invercargill around fifty minutes after taking off from Queenstown. Fire trucks were available at Invercargill. Also read: Greek coastguard threw migrants into sea after tying their hands: Report According to Queenstown Airport spokesman Catherine Nind, the source of the engine fire and the number of people on board the aircraft were not immediately known. 👋 Greetings from Invercargill! Mood is calm in the cabin, a tad shaken but on the ground as fire crews inspect the plane. Can confirm it was a bird strike on the way out. pic.twitter.com/NBq7GnSR8a — Drawyah (@DrawyahYT) June 17, 2024 × In an email statement to CBS, Virgin Australia said that "a possible bird strike" might have been the cause of the event. With a population of 53,000, Queenstown is a popular tourist spot in the South Island of New Zealand, known for its alpine scenery, adventure tourism, and skiing. According to the country's aviation regulator's website, birds strike planes at New Zealand airports at a rate of roughly four per 10,000 aircraft movements. According to the organisation, the severity of the repercussions varies based on the location of the aircraft impact, the size of the birds, and the pilot's response. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Australia-bound Boeing 737-800 plane's engine erupts in flames with loud bangs

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5 world's safest airlines in 2025 - Check which airline tops list

Virgin Australia plane's engine bursts into flames mid-air after suspected bird strike

Watch: Australia-bound Boeing 737-800 plane's engine erupts in flames with loud bangs