A therapy course designed to help people overcome their fear of flying has seen a dramatic spike in demand following the recent Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad that killed 260 people. The disaster, which occurred moments after take-off two weeks ago, prompted a substantial rise in enquiries for the programme, according to its founder.
Cockpit Vista, India's only fear-of-flying centre, is run by retired Air Force officer Dinesh K. in Bengaluru. His £400 course, combining flight simulation with counselling, has received more than 100 enquiries since the crash, compared to a previous average of about ten per month. “Fear of flying is typically to do with things happening on an aeroplane – the sounds, motion, vibrations. Exposure therapy is the only solution,” Dinesh explained.
The centre uses simulators for Boeing and Cessna planes, allowing participants to experience landings and take-offs from a pilot's perspective. This immersive approach aims to demonstrate that not every vibration or sound during a flight signals danger. Since the crash, individuals have complained of “losing confidence” and finding it “too hard on the brain”, according to WhatsApp messages shared with Reuters.
The 59-second CCTV clip showing the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash, widely circulated on social media and TV, has exacerbated anxiety. Mental health experts note that some travellers are now selecting airlines and aircraft carefully, with some avoiding Boeing planes altogether. “I’m filtering on the basis of not having to fly a Boeing… I’m bloody terrified currently,” said London-based marketing consultant Nidhi Bhatia, who flew on an Air India Boeing 777 a day before the crash.
The surge in anxiety is reflected in Google Trends data, which shows searches for “flying fear” in India hit “peak popularity” a day after the crash. Unlike India, Western countries have more formal setups to address aerophobia. A Prodege survey after a recent US mid-air collision found 55 per cent of US travellers had higher anxiety, and 38 per cent reconsidered or cancelled travel plans. However, flying remains safe: the International Civil Aviation Organisation reported 1.87 accidents per million departures in 2023.
Mental health professionals report that people are seeking help for insomnia, obsession with flight updates, and debilitating anxiety about loved ones travelling. The 14-hour Cockpit Vista course includes Dinesh accompanying nervous clients on their first flight post-therapy. “Exposure therapy is the only solution,” he reiterated, as India grapples with the psychological fallout of the tragedy.
