Brussels Airline Launches Fear of Flying Course to Help Passengers 

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Brussels Airline Launches Fear of Flying Course to Help Passengers 
21 Feb 2023
5 min read

News Synopsis

As many people have a fear of heights, turbulence, and other factors, flying on planes may be a frightening experience for many.

The national airline of Belgium, Brussels Airlines, developed a unique course to help such passengers in overcoming their phobia of flying. The unique programme was created with the support of behavioral therapists and simulates flight using virtual reality (VR). According to the airline, the majority of passengers could fly without any worry after finishing the programme.

Belgium aviation is recovering its footing after the pandemic's effects. Behavioral therapists at The Human Link, a company that offers psychological treatment to those who have issues that prevent them from fully appreciating life, said that with the gradual rise in passengers, the number of people who require help overcoming their fear of flying also increased.

The "Fear of Flying" course, which will be held at the end of March, was designed at this time by Brussels Airlines and The Human Link. According to a Simple Flying report, the course was developed in 2006 with the collaboration of Ghent University and has a success rate of over 80%. The Covid-19 pandemic caused the course to be put on hold, but it will now be used to address the problem.

The course is divided into three parts. Before enrolling in the course, participants will have an interview with a therapist to determine their suitability. The final half-day is devoted to therapeutic exercises that will help travelers find new ways to cope with their anxious feelings. Participants in the workshop will also have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the environment of an aeroplane using virtual reality (VR).

According to Simple Flying's report, the course will be taught in Dutch, but sessions may also be delivered in French and English depending on demand. After completing the course, more than eight out of ten participants, according to Brussels Airlines, can now fly without fear.