‘Bloody terrified’: Flying anxiety peaks in India after fatal Air India crash
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.