I can completely understand why some people are afraid of flying.

In the US, about 42,000 people die annually in automobile accidents. For aviation related deaths for the last 10 or so, the numbers range from 150 to about 550 a year. Some of the accidents pictured above occurred back in the 1980s. I have been involved in aviation maintenance since 1985. There have been so many positive changes in training, crew resource management and technology like better equipment, better weather radar and better organization and maintenance practices, the only thing I am uncomfortable with when flying is that the skinny seats don't fit my wide bottom. AN aircraft crashing is big news because it is a rare thing. If it was as frequent as car accidents, it would get as little coverage as they do.

If someone has a fear of flying, look at the fatality rates in any given year. If that doesn't reassure them, then they can always drive.