But the industry maintains flying is one of the the safest ways to travel, despite warnings that there will be an increase in major crashes as the skies become more crowded.

Almost 800 people died, in 12 major accidents, worldwide during 1998.

In 1997, in 21 reported accidents, there were 1,093 fatalties.

Yet these are not exceptional years. In 1972 more than 2,500 people died in aviation accidents.

Recent disasters include:

August 1999