Travel Tips & Trends

Fear of flying

Fear of flying (aviophobia) affects an estimated 6.5% of Americans to such an intense level that it qualifies as an anxiety disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The problem can greatly impact travel choices.

Aviophobia is not necessarily driven by safety concerns. Claustrophobia and other issues relating to the physical surroundings of a commercial aircraft may be involved. Lucas van Gerwin, of the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, studied 5,000 people with a fear of flying and found that the women tended to be more afraid of losing control of their emotions, in addition to a fear of crashing. Men's fear tended to come from the fact that they were not in control of the plane, or from a fear of heights. People aged over 54, particularly men, had the biggest fear of flying.

A variety of methods and programs are used to overcome a fear of flying. They can include relaxation techniques, education and gradual exposure to air travel situations in a controlled environment. In Colorado, a "Flight Without Fear" course is available in the Denver area, presented by the International Organization of Women Pilots and Frontier Airlines. The next course is scheduled to start on Sept. 29, 2008. For more information call 303-795-6564 or visit www.colorado99s.org/fwf.htm .