The $500 course helping travellers conquer their fear of flying
Demand for fear-of-flying therapy has surged in India following the recent Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad.
Retired Air Force officer Dinesh K. runs Cockpit Vista in Bengaluru, India's sole "fear of flying solutions" centre.
His $500 course, which combines flight simulation and counselling, received over 100 enquiries after the crash, a significant increase from its previous average.
The widely shared 59-second CCTV footage of the crash, which killed 260 people, is identified as a primary cause of heightened anxiety among Indian travellers.
The Indian Association of Tour Operators said the crash led to a 15 to 20 per cent drop in overall flight bookings and cancellations, with travellers becoming more selective about airlines and aircraft types.
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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Demand for fear of flying therapy spikes after Air India disaster
A therapy course designed to help people conquer their fear of flying has seen a huge spike in demand after over 200 people lost their lives in the recent Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad. The disaster that occurred moments after take-off two weeks ago, has since prompted a substantial rise in enquiries for the programme. Retired Air Force officer Dinesh K., 55, runs Cockpit Vista, India's sole "fear of flying solutions" centre, located in Bengaluru. His $500 course, which combines flight simulation with counselling, has received more than 100 enquiries since the crash, a stark contrast to its previous average of about ten a month. Dinesh explains his approach to overcoming aerophobia: "Fear of flying is typically to do with things happening on an aeroplane - the sounds, motion, vibrations ... exposure therapy is the only solution." During a tour of his facility, he demonstrated how cockpit controls relate to movements that often unnerve passengers. The centre is equipped with simulators for both Boeing and Cessna planes, allowing participants to experience landings and take-offs from a pilot's perspective. This immersive experience aims to help individuals understand that not every vibration or sound during a flight signals danger, thereby alleviating their anxieties. WhatsApp messages Dinesh received, and shared with Reuters, showed individuals complaining about "losing confidence" after the crash, while others said it was "too hard on the brain". A chilling 59-second CCTV clip showing the crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which killed 260 people, has been widely shared on social media and TV channels since the 12 June accident, which aviation and mental health experts said had led to an unusually high number of counselling requests. Some travellers are becoming more choosy in selecting their airline and aircraft - Boeing or Airbus - while others are so anxious they are taking more drastic steps by rescheduling or cancelling their air travel plans altogether. "I am filtering on the basis of not having to fly a Boeing ... I'm bloody terrified currently, and I don't want to get back on a flight," said London-based Indian marketing consultant Nidhi Bhatia, 25, who flew to Mumbai in an Air India Boeing 777 plane a day before the Ahmedabad crash. Unlike India, Western countries have many more formal setups to help people tackle their fear of flying, in its most intense form known as aerophobia, as fatal crashes often spike worries among travellers across the world. Days after an American Airlines plane collided with a helicopter in Washington, killing more than 60 people, a survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers by research firm Prodege found 55 per cent of travellers had higher anxiety, while 38 per cent had reconsidered or cancelled travel plans. Google Trends data shows searches for the term "flying fear" in India hit "peak popularity" a day after the Air India crash, and the phrase was still being widely searched. Flying is typically seen as a safe mode of transport, and crashes during takeoff are especially rare. The International Civil Aviation Organisation said there were 1.87 accidents per million departures in 2023, its most recent annual air safety report. Of the nine hull loss accidents without fatalities recorded in 2024, only two occurred on take off, according to Airbus' website. The airport CCTV recording from Ahmedabad shows the Air India plane rose to a height of 650 feet (198.12 m) after it took off, but suddenly lost altitude, crashing in a fireball into a nearby building - all within 60 seconds. The disturbing footage was a key cause of the panic among Indian travellers, five mental health experts said. People were seeking help because they had developed insomnia or become obsessed with flight updates, they said. Others were scared of letting their loved ones travel on planes, complaining of "debilitating anxiety" for their relatives in transit "to an extent where they have been unable to focus on their daily chores" because they are constantly checking messages to see if they have landed, said psychologist Pankti Gohel. In Bengaluru, the $500 Cockpit Vista course is spread over 14 hours and led by Dinesh, who oversaw ground operations during the undeclared 1999 Kargil war between India and Pakistan and retired as an Air Force wing commander in 2014. He also offers to accompany worried clients on the first flights they take after completing the course. Since the crash, many travellers fear travelling with Air India and are seeking alternative airlines, according to Jaya Tours, a mid-sized booking agency in Mumbai. Taken over by the Tata Group from the Indian government in 2022, Air India continues to face criticism for poor service and an outdated fleet. This year, the airline was also warned about flying three Airbus planes which lacked mandatory inspection checks on escape slides. The Indian Association of Tour Operators, which represents more than 1,600 agents, said overall flight bookings dropped by 15-20 per cent soon after the Air India crash, while 30-40 per cent of booked tickets were also cancelled. "We are getting very unusual questions about aircraft type. Earlier passengers didn't really care about what kind of aircraft it is," said the group's president, Ravi Gosain.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
The Scottish 'food town' near outdoor activity centre named best in the country
From a family activity centre to yummy restaurants, the town has it all. So far, summer has been very up and down in Scotland. Some days have brought clear skies and warm temperatures, while others have seen non-stop rain. While we can never count on good weather to last long, that is no reason not to get out and make the most of the season. For that reason, the Daily Record has chosen a scenic town home to an award-winning activity centre as our latest Town of the Week. Castle Douglas is located in Dumfries and Galloway, and is home to a population of around 4,000 people. The 18th century market town is known for its easy access to nature and is also classed as a 'Food Town'. As reported by the Daily Record, the Scottish Hospitality Awards were held last week. Among the winners was the Galloway Activity Centre, which is located just outside of Castle Douglas along the shores of Loch Ken. The Galloway Activity Centre is an outdoor centre that offers a wide selection of both land and water-based activities. It is catered to families and individuals, with everything from taster sessions to full courses available. Among the land activities offered at the centre are archery, laser tag, and mountain biking, while it even has its own water slide. Meanwhile, out on the water, visitors can partake in windsurfing, kayaking, and more. The Galloway Activity Centre also offers accommodation, with a broad range to choose from. From traditional Yurts to glamping domes, there are options for all budgets and tastes. Castle Douglas is also Dumfries and Galloway's designated Food Town. It is home to a number of renowned restaurants, perfect for a sit-down meal after a day out at the Galloway Activity Centre. Among the top eateries in Castle Douglas are The Jewel In The Crown and The Olive Retreat. The former is an Indian restaurant that serves up a range of mouthwatering curries, while The Olive Retreat specialises in authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Read on for photographs of some of Castle Douglas's highlights. Meanwhile, the full list of winners at the Scottish Hospitality Awards can be found on the Oceanic Awards website. For more travel inspiration, find a few of the Daily Record's previous Towns and Villages of the Week below: Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to the Scotland Now newsletter here. More On Dumfries & Galloway Castle Douglas Things to do Scotland Food Discover Scotland Days Out
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
The $500 course helping travellers conquer their fear of flying
Demand for fear-of-flying therapy has surged in India following the recent Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad. Retired Air Force officer Dinesh K. runs Cockpit Vista in Bengaluru, India's sole "fear of flying solutions" centre. His $500 course, which combines flight simulation and counselling, received over 100 enquiries after the crash, a significant increase from its previous average. The widely shared 59-second CCTV footage of the crash, which killed 260 people, is identified as a primary cause of heightened anxiety among Indian travellers. The Indian Association of Tour Operators said the crash led to a 15 to 20 per cent drop in overall flight bookings and cancellations, with travellers becoming more selective about airlines and aircraft types.
