The Air India crash 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.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.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.
