AirAsia to charge airport check-in fee

AirAsia passengers will be charged if they check-in at the airport.

AirAsia is to introduce counter check-in fees in what it says is a bid to encourage the use of technology.

The airline has introduced contactless check-in kiosks into airports and enhanced mobile app features recently.

Passengers in Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Taipei, Kaohsiung and Honolulu will be charged RM20 per person for domestic flights and RM30 for international flights.

Passengers who check-in using the AirAsia website, mobile app or airport kiosks can do so for free.

“The implementation of counter check-in fees is a way for us to further encourage guests to use these digital technologies, which we have invested enormously in,” said AirAsia group chief operations officer Javed Malik. “In view of the covid-19 pandemic, these self check-in facilities have become crucial in minimising physical contact between our guests and staff.”

A waiver will be given to travellers with reduced mobility, those travelling on Premium Flex or Premium Flatbed tickets and passengers affected by flight disruptions or an airport kiosk outage.

Other airlines to charge check-in fees include European budget carrier Ryanair, which introduced an airport check-in charge before the pandemic.

AirAsia last month reported the biggest quarterly loss in its history due to the coronavirus pandemic. Revenue is down 96% from RM2.9 billion in 2019.

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