The Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre, based in Germany, analysed all serious incidents suffered by airlines since 1983 in its study, as well as the number of miles flown by each carrier, to produce its annual Safety Index.

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Etihad were also named among the five safest carriers, while BA came 10th, Virgin 15th, easyJet 17th and Ryanair 32nd.

No US airlines made the top 20 – Southwest Airlines was the highest ranked at number 21