The Fear of Flight: Navigating My Anxiety in the Shadow of Tragedy

 I fear, I fear airplanes passing over my head. The rumble of engines and the sight of aircraft soaring above instill a deep-seated anxiety within me. The mere thought of a plane crashing near me or my loved ones consumes my mind with dread. This fear is not unfounded; it is a reflection of the tragic reality that has plagued my country with frequent aviation incidents.

In Nepal, it feels like this fear is shared by everyone. The country’s aviation history is marred by frequent accidents, creating a pervasive sense of vulnerability among us. For instance, in the past decade alone, Nepal has experienced several high-profile aviation disasters, with at least 100 fatalities reported in major crashes. Each time I see a plane in the sky or approach an airport, I am overwhelmed by the same haunting questions: What if the next crash happens near me? What if I or my family become victims of this ever-present threat?

The personal tragedies resulting from these accidents are devastating. I often think about how a married woman might suddenly become a widow, facing the immense challenge of navigating life without her spouse. I imagine a mother losing her child, a loss so profound it is almost unimaginable. The thought of families being torn apart by such sudden and violent loss fills me with dread. These stories are not just statistics; they are real people who have experienced unimaginable grief.

The frequency of these incidents only heightens my anxiety. Each crash serves as a stark reminder of the systemic issues within our aviation industry—poor safety standards, regulatory lapses, and inadequate maintenance practices create an environment where air travel feels perilous. For example, the recent crash on July 24, 2024, where a Saurya Airlines flight crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in 18 fatalities, illustrates these ongoing issues. Seeing such tragedies occur year after year, my fear of becoming the next victim or losing someone I love grows more intense.

This fear isn’t just a personal concern but reflects a broader societal issue. The recurring tragedies highlight the urgent need to address the underlying problems within our aviation sector. We need improved safety regulations, better maintenance practices, and more rigorous oversight to prevent future disasters.

Living with this constant fear of an aviation accident impacts my daily life deeply. It shapes my decisions, influences how I interact with airports and affects my overall sense of security. The anxiety of what-if scenarios often overshadows the joy of travel and the excitement of flying. It forces me to confront the harsh reality that safety is not guaranteed and that we are all vulnerable to the unpredictabilities of air travel.

Facing these fears, it’s crucial for me and others to advocate for systemic changes that prioritize passenger safety and address the root causes of these tragedies. We must push for stricter safety regulations, enhance maintenance protocols, and demand better oversight from authorities. While my personal fears are overwhelming, they also serve as a catalyst for broader change and improvement. By uniting our voices and pushing for these changes, we can work towards a safer aviation environment and honor the memory of those who have tragically lost their lives.

Ultimately, navigating my fear of flight amidst recurring tragedies requires a delicate balance. I need to acknowledge the risks while striving for a safer future. This involves confronting my anxieties, advocating for meaningful reforms, and supporting efforts to enhance aviation safety. By doing so, I hope to not only address my personal fears but also contribute to a collective effort to prevent future tragedies and ensure that the skies above us are as safe as possible for everyone.