In the first quarter of 2025 alone, more than 170 aviation accidents occurred in the U.S., with 22 resulting in fatalities and 109 deaths. As a pilot and executive in the aviation industry with 27 years of experience, I am often asked: Why are there so many accidents and incidents in aviation today? To answer this, we must look deeper into the hidden risks that are silently accumulating — risks that are directly tied to growing traffic, an influx of new pilots, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of proactive risk management.

Although aviation remains the safest form of travel, the increase in air traffic and the aging infrastructure of the National Airspace System are combining to create an environment ripe for accidents. This is no coincidence. It’s the result of not proactively addressing the risks inherent in a system that was designed decades ago and is now under strain. Like road traffic, where more cars on the road lead to more accidents, the same principle applies to airspace. As traffic increases at already congested airports, so does........

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