Beat your flying fear

AEROPHOBIA, or fear of flying, affects thousands of people in Ireland and it can develop very suddenly.

Fortunately, it can be overcome just as quickly and there is now a special programme to help people of all ages to do just that. Pilot and therapist Michael Comyn has launched Fly Fearless, an Irish company geared to help sufferers overcome that fear through informative and interactive sessions.

The company provides a range of courses, including one-to-one sessions and group workshops aimed at equipping the reluctant and fearful fliers with techniques and management skills to make flying a more enjoyable experience.

It facilitates flight simulations and active short domestic flights for course participants if required. Fly Fearless will have a one day seminar at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dublin Airport on Saturday, September 5. Courses are priced from €180. Information is available from www.FlyFearless.com or telephone [phone].

IN a difficult market for tour operators, Sunway reports positive news by recording a whopping 60% on travel to the USA for the first seven months of the year.

The Irish are taking advantage of a favourable exchange rate to travel stateside and a surprise winner in the popularity stakes has been Las Vegas.

Sunway is selling Las Vegas for five nights in the three star Circus Circus from €465 per person.

Orlando is another popular destination for families and couples in 2009. With a direct flight from Ireland, competition has increased on the route, pushing airfares down. Now families (two adults two children under 12) can pick up a family holiday for seven nights in a four star hotel with direct flights from €2,079.

Sunway offers over 40 holiday options to the US, including weekend breaks, fly drives, beach holidays and theme parks.

Details from www.sunway.ie or phone Sunway 01-2886828

IN response to customer demand, Indian airline Jet Airways will introduce a second daily service from London to Bangkok via Mumbai from tomorrow (August 16).

To mark the new service, a special economy class return fare from London has been introduced, starting at £384. For details, visit www.jetairways.com.

PRINCESS Cruises, the California based company, has signed a unique distribution agreement for Ireland with Tour America’s specialist division, Cruise Holidays. This gives the Irish consumer access to their full worldwide range at prices never available before.

Princess Cruises has always been particularly strong with cruises in the Gulf of Alaska and operates eight cruise ships, five wilderness lodges, deluxe motor coaches and even trains to give customers a seamless cruise and land-tour holiday to the great wilderness.

Tel Cruise Holidays on [phone] or visit www.cruiseholidays.ie