AirAsia to require vaccine, check-in via app only

AirAsia is the latest airline to announce it will require adult passengers to be fully vaccinated before flying. Air New Zealand, Qantas and Air Canada have announced similar plans in recent weeks. 

Along with the vaccination, the low-cost carrier is now requiring passengers to check in via the AirAsia Super App to minimize physical interactions upon arriving at the airport and during boarding. Check-in can begin 14 days before departure, and passengers can scan or upload their vaccination proof into the app. 

The airline says counter check-in will still be allowed for guests with reduced mobility, those traveling with a child under two years of age and young guests traveling alone. Others requesting counter check-in will be charged a fee.

“The decision to accept only fully vaccinated guests for boarding is made in the best safety interest of our guests and employees. All our flights are operated by only fully-vaccinated pilots and cabin crew and this applies to all our ground services as well. We have also put in place numerous service enhancements and integration via the AirAsia Super App,” says AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat.

“Guests can look forward to a convenient and seamless self-check-in process via the Super App that allows for easy uploading and instant verification of health and vaccination documents, and contactless boarding via FACES facial recognition system. All these will minimize queuing and possible physical contacts at the counters and crowding at the airport.”

Guests under the age of 18 that are not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated will be allowed to fly if accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian. 

Along with mobile check-in, the airline is trying to minimize human contact by encouraging passengers to use contactless kiosks for baggage tagging and drop-off and to use contactless payment options for purchases.

It’s unclear if AirAsia will extend the vaccine and app requirement to its regional carriers in countries including Thailand, the Philippines, India and Indonesia.