NEW DELHI, India, June 25: Following the recent crash of Air India flight 171 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, there has been a sharp rise in demand for therapy courses addressing fear of flying in India. Retired Air Force officer Dinesh K., who runs the only specialized center in the country for this issue, reports a tenfold increase in inquiries.

Dinesh’s Cockpit Vista center in Bengaluru offers a unique $500 therapy program combining flight simulation and counselling to help individuals overcome their fear of flying. “Fear of flying is usually triggered by airplane sounds, motions, and vibrations,” said Dinesh, 55, explaining that exposure therapy is the most effective treatment. The center’s simulators for Boeing and Cessna aircraft allow participants to experience takeoffs and landings from the cockpit perspective, helping them understand that typical noises and movements are not necessarily signs of danger.

Since the June 12 crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which tragically killed 260 people, the center has received over 100 inquiries — up from about ten monthly before the disaster. Messages shared by Dinesh revealed many people struggling with "losing confidence" and describing the situation as "too hard on the brain." The widely circulated 59-second CCTV footage of the crash has intensified anxiety among travelers.

This surge in fear is reflected in behavioral changes: some passengers are now carefully selecting airlines or aircraft types, while others are postponing or cancelling trips altogether. London-based marketing consultant Nidhi Bhatia, who flew on an Air India Boeing 777 a day before the crash, said, “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.”

Unlike India, many Western countries have more formal support systems to help people cope with severe flying anxiety—known as aerophobia—especially after fatal crashes. For example, after a collision in Washington involving an American Airlines plane and a helicopter that killed over 60 people, a survey found that 55% of U.S. travelers experienced increased anxiety, with 38% reconsidering or cancelling travel plans. In India, Google Trends showed a spike in searches for “flying fear” immediately after the Air India crash.

Despite flying being one of the safest modes of transport, crashes—particularly during takeoff—are extremely rare. The International Civil Aviation Organization reported just 1.87 accidents per million departures in 2023. The Ahmedabad CCTV footage revealed the Air India plane climbed to 650 feet before suddenly losing altitude and crashing within 60 seconds.

Mental health experts say the graphic footage has caused widespread panic. Many people now suffer from insomnia, obsessive monitoring of flight updates, and extreme anxiety about the safety of loved ones traveling by air. Psychologist Pankti Gohel described the anxiety as “debilitating,” affecting daily functioning and causing constant worry about whether relatives have landed safely.

Dinesh, who retired as an Air Force wing commander in 2014 after overseeing operations during the 1999 Kargil war, offers a 14-hour course at Cockpit Vista. He also provides personal accompaniment on clients’ first flights post-therapy.

The crash has also damaged Air India’s reputation, with many travelers seeking alternatives. Since its acquisition by Tata Group in 2022, the airline has faced criticism for service quality and an aging fleet. In 2025, the airline was warned over missed safety checks on escape slides for three Airbus aircraft. The Indian Association of Tour Operators reported a 15-20% drop in flight bookings immediately following the crash, with cancellations reaching 30-40%. “Passengers are now asking unusual questions about aircraft types,” said the group’s president, Ravi Gosain. “People don’t want to hear about Dreamliners.”

This combination of increased fear, mental health concerns, and declining confidence in certain airlines is reshaping the Indian air travel landscape in the wake of the tragic crash.