Top 10 Aviation Safety Challenges and Priorities for 2025 Planning

This ranked list sets out the top 10 Aviation Safety priorities for 2025 based on three factors: (1) risk impact shown in the ICAO 2025 Safety Report and the 2023–2025 Global Aviation Safety Plan focus areas (CFIT, LOC‑I, midair collisions); (2) immediacy of actions and deadlines in EASA EPAS 2025 and recent U.S. rulemaking moving into execution; and (3) breadth of affected stakeholders, from airlines and airports to manufacturers, ANSPs, and general aviation. Items with clear 2025 actions or compliance clocks rise higher because operators must act now to manage exposure.

Each entry explains what changed in 2024–2025, who is responsible, what to do next, likely costs in plain terms (time, tools, training), and the practical benefits in reduced accident precursors. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this approach helps safety leaders and accountable executives prioritize finite resources toward the hazards driving the most serious outcomes in 2025.

1) Systemic risk management and targeted safety action

The anchor priority for 2025 is closing the loop between data and action.

• EASA EPAS 2025 (14th edition, published Jan 21, 2025) maps 211 safety issues, flags 20 higher‑risk items with 8 newly identified, and sets 150 actions after completing 15 in 2024.
• ICAO’s 2025 State of Global Aviation Safety keeps attention on CFIT, LOC‑I, and midair collisions.

What to do now:
– Align SSP/SMS targets to the EASA risk portfolios and the key accident categories.
– Implement concrete steps such as CFIT/terrain awareness training, stabilized approach compliance checks, and UPRT refreshers.
– Tie internal audits and SPIs to the small set of problems causing the worst outcomes.

Likely costs:
– Analysis time, training slots, and oversight bandwidth.

Benefits:
– Clearer safety performance indicators, more efficient audits, and reduced high‑severity accident precursors.

Stakeholders:
– EASA Member States, industry partners, and ICAO Member States under Annex 19.

2) SMS expansion and implementation deadlines

The U.S. moves from rule to practice in 2025.

• The FAA’s 2024 SMS final rule extends SMS to Part 135 (commuter/on‑demand), certain Part 21 manufacturers, and §91.147 air tour operators.
• There is a 36‑month compliance horizon into 2027.

What to do now:
1. Run a gap analysis.
2. Set an implementation plan.
3. Define safety policy and appoint an accountable executive.
4. Stand up hazard reporting and risk assessment workflows.
5. Select SPIs tied to top risks.
6. Build internal audit cycles and roll out safety promotion and training.

Likely costs:
– Program staff time, training hours, and basic software/documentation tools.

Benefits:
– Better hazard visibility, clearer roles, and repeatable processes.

Stakeholders:
– FAA, affected operators, and auditors supporting staged compliance through 2027.

3) Cybersecurity and navigation integrity

Cyber threats and GNSS interference are front‑row priorities in 2025.

• Industry assessments place cyber loss near the top of global risk.
• Reports from 2023–2025 document hundreds of GPS interference/spoofing events affecting operations.
• EASA EPAS 2025 adds actions to strengthen information security and tighten airspace use requirements.

What to do now:
– Deploy threat detection and segment IT/OT networks.
– Maintain and exercise incident response and business continuity plans.
– Train crews to recognize GNSS interference, use RAIM, apply reversion procedures, and maintain inertial or DME/DME/ADF backups where applicable.

Likely costs:
– Cyber tooling, training, incident drills, and possible avionics or procedure updates.

Benefits:
– Fewer operational disruptions and safer navigation reversion during degraded GNSS.

Stakeholders:
– EASA, FAA, ICAO, airlines, airports, ANSPs, OEMs, and national cyber agencies.

4) Runway safety: excursions, incursions, and surface risk

Surface events and unstable approaches remain leading triggers for accidents and serious incidents.

• The ICAO 2025 Safety Report links surface risks to CFIT and LOC‑I pathways.
• Coverage cites 95 accidents for scheduled commercial flights in the 2025 report, reinforcing approach and runway discipline priorities.

What to do now:
– Reinforce stabilized approach gates and go‑around decision discipline.
– Improve runway condition reporting and update hot spot charts.
– Airports/ANSPs: refine surface movement surveillance, signage, and taxi procedures.

Likely costs:
– Refresher training, runway safety team meetings, and potential surface surveillance or signage upgrades.

Benefits:
– Fewer tail strikes, excursions, and incursions; steadier SOP compliance.

Stakeholders:
– ANSPs, airports, airlines, flight crews, and ground operations teams.

5) General and business aviation safety call to action

Mid‑2025 FAA messaging focuses on complacency, risk drift, and communications gaps in GA and business aviation.

What to do now:
– Maintain discipline in preflight planning and aeronautical decision making.
– Use risk assessment checklists and improve crew/ATC communications.
– For business aviation: integrate line checks and recurrent training tailored to routes and duty patterns.

Likely costs:
– Time for recurrent training and checklists; voluntary SMS‑like practices.

Benefits:
– Fewer LOC‑I events and weather‑related traps in GA/BA, where small numbers of events can have severe outcomes.

Stakeholders:
– GA community, business operators, flight schools, and training providers.

6) Security harmonization for public charters

Legislative movement seeks parity in security requirements for scheduled‑like public charters.

• The bipartisan Safer Skies Act, reintroduced Mar 26, 2025 (119th Congress), aims to bring public charter and Part 135/Part 380 operators with >9 seats up to Part 121‑equivalent security rules.

What to do now:
– If you operate >9 seats scheduled‑like service, estimate screening and staffing needs, and track the bill for likely TSA directives in 2025–2026.

Likely costs:
– Equipment, staffing, and process changes at smaller airports and charter operators; possible schedule impacts.

Benefits:
– More consistent passenger screening and reduced security risk.

Stakeholders:
– TSA, Congress, public charter/Part 135 operators, airports, and pilot unions.

7) Human factors and fatigue risk management

SMS expansion requires matured FRMS alongside broader SMS rollouts.

• FAA research into fatigue biomarkers and real‑time diagnostics progressed through 2024–2025 and will inform guidance/policy.

What to do now:
– Build FRMS incorporating biomathematical modeling, data‑tuned duty/rest rules, and non‑punitive fatigue reporting.
– Integrate FRMS outputs into SMS safety assurance to close the loop on scheduling and real reports.

Likely costs:
– Scheduling analysis tools, training, and possible roster changes.

Benefits:
– Reduced fatigue‑related errors and better alignment of duty cycles with human performance limits.

Stakeholders:
– FAA research teams (CAMI and partners), airline/business aviation scheduling departments, safety managers, and unions.

8) Integration of advanced/novel operations and ground handling safety

EASA EPAS 2025 adds actions for advanced air mobility and ground handling safety.

• New 2025 actions cover VTOL noise requirements, helicopter certification integrity verification, support for a Ground Handling Regulation, and stronger information security (six new actions added in 2025).

What to do now:
– OEMs and eVTOL/VTOL operators: prepare for noise and design requirements.
– Helicopter manufacturers: plan integrity verification programs.
– Ground handlers/aerodromes: prepare for an EU ground handling framework with explicit safety duties.

Likely costs:
– Certification and compliance engineering, training, and possible equipment changes for handlers.

Benefits:
– Safer rollout of advanced air mobility and fewer ramp accidents.

Stakeholders:
– EASA rulemaking teams, OEMs, ANSPs, aerodromes, and handling companies.

9) Passenger safety and accessibility

U.S. regulatory work targets stronger protections for passengers with disabilities.

• USDOT’s NPRM (Feb 28, 2024) seeks stronger ACAA standards on assistance, training, and remedies for wheelchair damage/delay; the rulemaking status is active through Aug 11, 2025.
• FAA FY2024–2025 research studies feasibility/standards for wheelchair securement systems on passenger aircraft.

What to do now:
– Maintain compliant assistance and training under current rules.
– Follow FAA securement research and plan for potential future standards.

Likely costs:
– Staff training time and possible equipment or process upgrades.

Benefits:
– Safer, more dignified travel for passengers with disabilities and fewer injuries during boarding/deplaning.

Stakeholders:
– USDOT Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, FAA, airlines, and disability advocates.

10) Legislative and regulatory implementation

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118‑63) sets the policy and funding direction through FY2028.

• Implementation work in 2025 supports safety technology, data systems, ATC modernization, and integration of UAS and advanced air mobility.

What to do now:
– Monitor rulemaking schedules, advisory circulars, and funding opportunities.
– Align capital and investment plans with expected safety technology and data expectations.

Likely costs:
– Participation in consultations, compliance with new rules, and investment planning.

Benefits:
– Stronger oversight, better tools across the system, and support for next‑generation operations.

Stakeholders:
– FAA lines of business, operators, manufacturers, airports, labor groups, and Congress.
– For official details, see the FAA’s reauthorization information page: https://www.faa.gov/about/reauthorization.

What changed recently and what to do now (per item)

• Systemic risk action:
  • Align SMS/SSP targets to CFIT, LOC‑I, and midair; tie internal audits to those hazards.
  • Use EASA EPAS 2025 risk portfolios to set 2025 training and monitoring priorities.
• SMS expansion:
  • Start the clock now for the 36‑month path to 2027:
  1. Gap analysis
  2. Implementation plan
  3. SPIs
  4. Audits
  5. Training
• Cyber/GNSS integrity:
  • Harden IT/OT, test business continuity, and train crews for interference recognition and reversion procedures.
• Runway/surface risk:
  • Refresh stabilized approach training, improve go‑around culture, and update hot spot charts and surface procedures.
• GA/Business aviation:
  • Bake risk checklists into preflight; review communications and “safety drift” during flight reviews and line checks.
• Public charter security:
  • If operating >9 seats scheduled‑like service under Part 135/380, estimate screening and staffing needs in case the Safer Skies Act advances.
• Fatigue/FRMS:
  • Build biomathematical modeling into schedule planning; keep fatigue reporting non‑punitive and feed results into SMS.
• Advanced/novel ops and ground handling:
  • Track VTOL noise and helicopter integrity requirements; prepare ramp teams for an EU ground handling safety rule.
• Passenger accessibility:
  • Strengthen wheelchair handling and assistance programs; monitor FAA securement research to plan for future standards.
• FAA Reauthorization:
  • Follow 2025–2028 rulemaking and funding lines; align capital plans with expected safety tech and data expectations.

Costs and benefits in plain terms

• Time:
  • Increased safety analysis, training hours, and audit cycles, especially for new SMS adopters.
• Tools:
  • Possible needs include basic SMS software, cyber monitoring, FRMS modeling, and surface surveillance or signage upgrades.
• People:
  • Some operators will add safety/security roles or reassign staff to meet new duties.
• Benefits:
  • Fewer high‑risk events tied to CFIT, LOC‑I, midair, unstable approaches, fatigue, and cyber/GNSS disruptions; more predictable oversight and steadier consumer trust.

How to choose what to act on first

• If you are an airline or large airport:
  • Prioritize systemic risk alignment, runway/surface risk, and cyber/GNSS resilience. These reduce the most severe outcomes and match 2025 portfolios in EASA EPAS 2025 and the ICAO 2025 Safety Report.
• If you are a Part 135 operator, air tour operator, or small manufacturer:
  • Start with the SMS build (fixed 2027 deadline). Add FRMS and runway discipline early, then address cyber basics.
• If you are a public charter offering scheduled‑like service:
  • Begin impact planning for security parity now. Preparing earlier lowers risk and smooths any future transition.
• If you focus on GA/Business aviation:
  • Adopt FAA mid‑2025 themes: fight complacency, use simple risk tools before every flight, and schedule recurrent training that reflects your operations.
• If you handle passengers with disabilities:
  • Update training on wheelchair assistance and tracking; assign a project lead to follow FAA research on securement feasibility.

By ranking the 2025 safety agenda through risk impact, immediacy, and scope, this list directs effort where it can save the most lives and prevent the most serious events. Actions linked to CFIT, LOC‑I, midair, runway excursions/incursions, fatigue, and cyber/GNSS resilience should rise first. Pair those priorities with the hard clocks set by the FAA’s SMS expansion and the multi‑year funding/policy track in the reauthorization law. With clear owners, near‑term steps, and simple measures of progress, safety leaders can make 2025 a year of focused, real‑world risk reduction.