Safety and security is the most discussed topic within the aviation industry according to a new report from Onclusive, which analysed topics mentioned in media discussion about the sector.
The issue was by far the most mentioned topic according to the report’s social media analysis, being the focus of 55% of posts in the last three months, and came a close second in a list of the most discussed topics by online and broadcast media outlets.
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Onclusive’s industry scan also found that sustainability and aviation regulations were among the most discussed issues online, at just more than 16% each, with the former topic becoming more of a focus for customers when looking at flight options.
However, it was turbulence that topped the list of topics discussed by new online, tv and radio news outlets in the last year, making up 18% of coverage compared to 17% for safety and security and 10% for financial news.
While often a popular topic, the issue’s prevalence in coverage in the last 12 months is likely driven by the media interest in the death of a passenger onboard a Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence in May 2024, and the subsequent legal follow ups.
This is further highlighted by the report’s finding that a BBC article profiling the 73-year-old British man who suffered a suspected heart attack on the flight was the top article by reach during the period analysed.
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By GlobalDataSimilarly, the ubiquity of discussions on safety and security was attributed to the quality control and safety saga that has plagued aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing for the last six months after a door plug blowout incident on a 737 MAX 8 plane in January.
In fact, the manufacturer was the fourth most discussed topic by mainstream media according to Onclusive, featuring in 8% of coverage, and received significantly more attention than its rival Airbus, which featured in 3% of discussions.
Additionally, the report cited discussions of other incidents involving Boeing aircraft and the response from airlines to the manufacturer’s troubles as driving the social media discussions about safety in the industry.
Despite being prevalent online, the continuing safety concerns of airplane passengers have not appeared to affect air travel demand with figures from the International Air Transport Association showing traffic up double figures on 2023 in early 2024.
