Brussels Airlines pilots and psychotherapists treat aviophobia

At the start of the autumn holidays, many guests choose to fly to their destination. Still, a significant number of people suffer from fear of flying to some degree. Fortunately, fear of flying is one of the most treatable phobias. Brussels Airlines offers a course, teaching how to cope with aviophobia, and it has a success rate of more than 80%.  

Many people who are afraid to fly avoid traveling by air but for others who need to travel for work or have plans for a holiday far from home flying is inevitable. Besides that, the number of passengers travelling by air is only growing. Therefore, Brussels Airlines offers a two-day course, teaching participants techniques in order to cope with their fears and to feel comfortable during their journey by plane. The course is given by Psychotherapists of The Human Link in cooperation with Brussels Airlines pilots and flight attendant Jan Verbeke. More than 80% of those who take the course overcome their fears and board a plane again after.

The fear of flying therapy was created by Brussels Airlines, the University of Ghent and Brussels Airport  and offers the best possible chances of success. The treatment includes a theoretical day and a flying day. With courses about fear and about flying and with a visit of an actual plane, pilots and professional therapists make everything visual and tangible. During the second day of the course, participants take two flights to put everything they have learned into practice, under the supervision of the psychotherapists and therefore trained cabin crew. During both flights, participants practice the different techniques they have learned during the theoretical course and the therapists challenge them to confront their fear.

“Helping someone overcome their fear gives me a wonderful feeling. By shedding light on the technical aspects of flying, I try to rationalize their fear. I want participants to feel confident in the air and make them enjoy flying.”

  • Luc Michiels, A320 captain

 

“The fight with anxiety is one you always loose. That is why we will never teach anyone how to fight their fears, but instead we teach participants how to cope with their fears, and be comfortable with them. The most important message is that it is OK to be afraid.”

  • Barbara Depreeuw, Psychotherapist at the Human Link

 

Since 2006, Brussels Airlines organizes the Fear of Flying course. Find more information and register to the course on brusselsairlines.com/nofeartofly.

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About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. It connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 90 destinations, 18 of which are in Sub Saharan Africa. The company employs more than 3,500 people and operates 44 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines aims to emit 50% less CO2 by 2030 compared to 2019 and plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. The airline is participating in the Stargate Project led by Brussels Airport and is therefore part of the testing ground for sustainable aviation at its home base. In addition, the airline signed the Circular Economy agreement of the Antwerp Management School in 2021. The airline was the first to transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS-pipeline connecting Brussels Airport early 2023. By end 2024, Brussels Airlines will have welcomed five state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo allowing the airline to significantly lower its CO2- and noise-emissions on its medium-haul network.

As an ambassador of its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world, among others through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, Belgian culinary products and the Belgian Icons, specially painted aircraft that honour a Belgian iconic person, team or event to promote Belgian culture worldwide.

More information on brusselsairlines.com 


About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in almost 190 countries.

Star Alliance Press Office: +65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com
More information on staralliance.com

Contact

b.house Zone General Aviation - Airport Building 26 1831 Diegem

+32 2 723 89 90

press@brusselsairlines.com

www.brusselsairlines.com