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AirAsia imposes safety measures before restart

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Group Bhd has imposed several safety measures for passengers ahead of the resumption of domestic flights across several countries from April 29.

The low-cost carrier said this was to ensure the safety for both employees and guests.

AirAsia Group Bhd chief safety officer Captain Ling Liong Tien said all passengers were now required all its passengers to bring and wear their own masks before, during and after the flight.

"This is also applicable during check in and bag collection. Guests without a mask will be denied boarding," Ling said in a statement today.

AirAsia also introduced a new cabin baggage policy to facilitate social distancing especially during embarkation and disembarkation.

"We will only allow one piece of cabin baggage not exceeding 7kg for each guest. This will help minimise unwanted contact between you and another guest's baggage and vice versa," he added.

Temperature checks at different checkpoints, including boarding gates will also be made mandatory for passengers and cabin crew.

Additionally, all AirAsia aircraft will go through regular disinfection procedures including the cleaning, sanitising and disinfecting products, approved by the public health authority as well as aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

"All the procedures are done in accordance with the Airbus Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). At every night stop, each aircraft goes through a thorough two-hour cleaning procedure, in compliance with instructions from health authorities," he said.

He said a team of five to six people would disinfect each aircraft in accordance with the maintenance operation controller (MOC) guidelines.

"All of our aircraft uses HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresters) aircraft filtration system which filters 99.999 per cent of dust particles and airborne contaminants such as viruses and bacteria," he said.

There will be floor markers at queuing areas, including check-in counters and kiosks.

"Another safety precaution will be alternate check-in counters to ensure sufficient distance. We are also working to have contactless check-in processes as well," he said.

All AirAsia's cabin crew will wear protective equipment including masks and gloves onboard.

"The meals that passengers will be having onboard are produced and packaged hygienically following strict food safety requirements. All production staff will regularly be monitored on Covid-19 guidelines," he said.

All cabin crew handling menu items will be wearing disposable gloves.

"Our cabin crew are all trained with procedures on how to manage suspected patients or passengers who are unwell onboard," he said.

Ling said passengers should also need to fill up health declaration forms before or on arrival at their respective destinations.

"It is important that passengers check their eligibility to travel before booking their flights," he said.

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