Recent airplane accidents in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Toronto have made people nervous about flying, including students at SUNY Cortland.
With 87 aviation accidents reported in the U.S. this year, some students are starting to rethink their travel plans. For international students and athletes, flying is often the only way to get home during breaks or at the end of the semester. But the recent increase in accidents has left many feeling unsure about their safety.
Firat Ercan, a senior from Istanbul, Turkey, is one of those students. He has been in the U.S. for almost four years and is used to long flights, which usually take him 15 to 20 hours. While he’s comfortable with the long trips, the recent accidents have made him anxious.
“I’ve been watching the news, and it’s making me think twice about flying,” Ercan said. “It’s hard not to worry when you hear about so many accidents.”
Ercan plans to fly back to Turkey at the end of the semester. He’s worried but hopes things will improve in the coming weeks.
“The semester isn’t over yet, so I have time to calm down and not stress too much about traveling,” he said. “I’m focusing on finishing my classes and making the most of my time here. I know the flight home is important, but I believe that by the time I need to book my ticket, I’ll feel better and know more about the situation.
Ercan added that he might look up flight safety records or choose an airline known for being safe to ease his worries. For now, he’s trying to stay focused on finishing the semester strong and not let his fear of flying distract him.
Federico Chiappa, a freshman on the SUNY Cortland basketball team, is also feeling uneasy. He’s from Italy and flies home during breaks to visit his family. Like Ercan, he’s been keeping up with the news about the accidents and admits it’s made him nervous.
“It’s definitely scary,” Chiappa said. “Flying is the fastest way to get home, but hearing about these accidents makes me anxious. I try not to let the fear take over.”
When asked if he would take extra steps to feel safer, Chiappa said he’s focusing on staying informed and trusting that the aviation industry is working to improve safety.
“I think it’s normal to feel uneasy after hearing about so many accidents,” he said. “But I’m focusing on school and basketball for now. I’ll deal with travel when I need to.”
Why So Many Accidents?
Experts say there are a few key reasons for the increase in accidents. One big reason is that more people are flying than ever before, which means more planes in the sky. Many planes are also getting older and may need more maintenance to stay safe. Bad weather, like severe storms, and mistakes by people also play a role.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) knows about these concerns and is working to make flying safer. Former FAA CEO Mike Whittaker said the agency is investing in new technology and doing more safety checks to address the issues.