In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Asia Group has implemented new travel policies for its guests which includes the passengers to bring and wear their own face masks before, during and after their flight, as well as during check-ins and bag collection.

Chief safety officer Captain Ling Liong Tien in a statement on AirAsia’s website today said that the passengers without a face mask will not be allowed to board the flight.

Also, AirAsia has  revised its cabin baggage policy to facilitate social distancing, especially during embarkation and disembarkation, allowing only one piece of cabin baggage not exceeding five kilogramme per guest.

Ling said this will help to reduce any unwanted contact between guest and another guest’s baggage and vice-versa.

There will also be temperature checks at different checkpoints, including the boarding gates, he said, adding all crew members will be required to go through temperature checks after every shift

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

Ling said cabin crews are required to wear protective equipment in the aircraft, including masks and gloves.

He said the production staff will be monitored according to the COVID-19 guidelines and cabin crew handling menu items will be required to wear disposable gloves.

He added "Moreover, our cabin crew are all trained with procedures on how to manage suspected patients or passengers who are unwell onboard. Safety is the most crucial component of the aviation industry, and we will definitely continue to strive towards ensuring that this ever-important mode of connectivity meets all required health and safety standards for both our employees and our guests, ”.