Why more than 50,000 passengers have booked on 'flights to nowhere' from UK airports like Heathrow and Gatwick.

When they come off the aeroplane at the end of the day, there’s tears of emotion,’ one British Airways pilot explained

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Nervous Londoners have been invited to take a “flight to nowhere” from Heathrow Airport in a bid to cure their fears of flying.

More than 50,000 people have booked onto British Airways’ Flying with Confidence Course since 1986 to try and overcome their fear of flying, the airline has revealed.

The one-day course, which costs £399 and next takes place on June 28, has a 98% success rate and has been designed by pilots and cabin crew to help frightened passengers.

Speaking to the Independent last year, the programme’s director, Captain Steve Allright, explained: “When they come off the aeroplane at the end of the day, there’s tears of emotion.

“You hear things like, ‘I’m a changed woman – thank you so much, I can go and visit my grandchildren in Australia.’

“All the research shows that one in four people has some kind of fear of flying, and one in 12 has significant difficulties. So there are literally millions of people around the world that have this fear.”

During the event, British Airways pilots give a presentation about how an aircraft flies and operates, particularly focusing on turbulence and flight safety.

A psychologist also speaks to soon-to-be passengers to help them cope with their fears and how best to deal with anxiety and feelings of panic.

The day finishes with a 45-minute flight returning to the same airport as take-off, and passengers are accompanied by a team of pilots, cabin crew and psychologists.

Events take place at Heathrow and Gatwick as well as locations across the UK, including Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. (London Evening Standard, but headline rejigged)