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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Air India plane crash: Flight fear deepens! Anxiety soars among frequent flyers, say psychiatrists
The on June 12 in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people, has left many air travellers shaken. As investigations continue into whether the accident was caused by pilot error or a mechanical failure in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the psychological impact is already visible. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to mental health experts, fear of flying has risen sharply, even among regular fliers. "After a tragedy like this, fear of flying naturally spikes," Dr Shefali Batra, a Mumbai-based psychiatrist told ET. The situation is being made worse by a string of recent flight-related incidents involving Air India and other airlines. These cases have heightened public concern and anxiety. Experts also say that constant exposure to disturbing news on social media is fuelling this fear. "Social media exposure to aviation disasters is amplifying anxiety," Dr Anjali Chhabria, another psychiatrist based in Mumbai told the outlet. "Even if someone hasn't experienced trauma personally, the constant stream of bad news creates a sense of danger," Chhabria added. The crash has not only raised safety concerns but also sparked growing mental health issues, with many passengers now experiencing travel anxiety or seeking therapy before boarding a flight. K Dinesh, founder of Cockpit Vista and a retired Indian Air Force wing commander, has witnessed the growing panic firsthand. He has seen CEOs gripping books like life jackets, elderly couples reliving past trauma, and some passengers freezing at the boarding gate, as per ET reports. To manage their fear, some turn to music, medication, or even alcohol. "Bars near boarding gates aren't just for leisure. Some passengers knock back four or five pegs just to get on board," he noted. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Psychologists say this anxiety is often stronger among high-achieving professionals like engineers, entrepreneurs, and scientists, people who are used to being in control. For them, the unpredictability of air travel adds another layer of stress that's hard to shake. "Flying forces them to surrender to an unseen pilot in a sealed cockpit," K Dinesh, of the Bengaluru-based counselling centre for fearful flyers told the outlet. "That's where the panic begins." Following the Air India incident, the centre has experienced increased enquiries. Their facility utilises flight simulators to replicate various flight conditions, including take-offs, landings, turbulence, and cabin acoustics in a controlled environment. Statistics indicate that in a standard 180-passenger aircraft, approximately 30-40% of passengers quietly experience varying degrees of anxiety or phobia, consistent with international aviation statistics. "People are altering travel plans, choosing trains over planes, or extending holidays to avoid flying. It may not be rational, but it's completely human," psychiatrist Batra said, adding that, "our brains are wired to fear the recent and the dramatic." Dinesh shared an observation about a well-dressed executive who appeared composed until perspiration was visible on his temple. "He hadn't turned a page in 15 minutes. When I asked, he admitted, 'I'm terrified of flying'," he noted. Aviation specialists note that this anxiety isn't limited to inexperienced travellers but often affects individuals with extensive knowledge and analytical capabilities. Experts observe that unlike ground transport, air travel provides no intermediate exit options, which some passengers find distressing. In severe cases, individuals have requested to disembark moments before departure. Aviation anxiety manifests in various ways beyond panic attacks. Chhabria observes that some couples now opt for separate flights to minimise risk exposure. "The media forgets a crash in five days. But a fearful flyer remembers it forever," ET reported quoting a therapist. For many fliers, the real struggle begins long before takeoff, sometimes even before they step into the airport.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Health
- Economic Times
After Air India crash, fear of flying soars—psychiatrists report spike in anxiety among seasoned travellers
Synopsis Following the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, flight anxiety has surged, impacting even seasoned travelers. Mental health experts attribute this rise to social media exposure and subsequent incidents, with high-calibre professionals particularly affected. Coping mechanisms range from medication to alcohol, while specialized counselling centres offer flight simulators to help passengers regain confidence amidst their fears. AP File photo of the ill-fated AI171 that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. Mumbai: Last month's plane crash in Ahmedabad has made fliers nervous. "After a tragedy like this, fear of flying naturally spikes," said Shefali Batra, a leading Mumbai-based psychiatrist. While investigations continue into whether pilot error or a mechanical fault with the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane was to blame for the accident that killed 260 people, what's undeniable is the psychological fallout-a surge of flight anxiety, even among seasoned travellers.A series of flight incidents associated with Air India and other airlines since the June 12 crash has added to their woes. Mental health professionals say the emotional aftershocks of the Air India crash are real and spreading, triggered by increased access to social media content. "Social media exposure to aviation disasters is amplifying anxiety," said Anjali Chhabria, a Mumbai-based psychiatrist. "Even if someone hasn't experienced trauma personally, the constant stream of bad news creates a sense of danger." K Dinesh, founder, Cockpit Vista, and a retired Indian Air Force wing commander, has seen it all-CEOs gripping books like life jackets, elderly couples haunted by decades-old trauma, and passengers frozen at boarding gates. Some drown the fear in music or medication, others, in alcohol. "Bars near boarding gates aren't just for leisure. Some passengers knock back four or five pegs just to get on board." Psychologists say the fear is more pronounced among high-calibre travellers like engineers, entrepreneurs, and scientists, who are accustomed to always being in charge. From CEOs gripping books like life jackets, elderly couples haunted by decades-old trauma, and flyers frozen at boarding gates: some drown the fear in music or medication, others, in booze. 'Bars near boarding gates aren't just for leisure. Some passengers knock back four or five pegs just to get on board.'Psychologists say the fear is heightened among high-calibre travellers who're used to being in charge, like engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. 'Flying forces them to surrender — to an unseen pilot in a sealed cockpit,' said K Dinesh of a Bengaluru-based counselling centre for fearful flyers which has seen a marked rise in inquiries after the Air India crash. Using flight simulators, it recreates take-offs, landings, turbulence, and cabin sounds in a controlled setting. He said, 'By the course's end, most begin to regain confidence.'In a typical 180-seater aircraft, nearly 30-40% of passengers are silently battling some form of anxiety or phobia of varying degrees — a figure that aligns with global aviation fear often it permeates those with deep knowledge and analytical minds, said aviation experts.
