MANILA (Bernama-PNA): Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines is strengthening collaboration with the aviation police to address security concerns, noting that around 114 individuals involved in cases of fraudulent travel documents and identity impersonation were apprehended last year.
According to Philippine News Agency (PNA), the airline said its representatives recently met with officials of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEGROUP) to tackle concerns like the use of fraudulent documents, onboard theft, and transport procedures for those travelling with firearms.
"Our partnership with PNP AVSEGROUP reflects our shared commitment to keeping air travel safe, secure, and seamless for all passengers," AirAsia Philippines General Manager Anna Victoria Lu said in a statement on Monday.
The statement said AVSEGROUP has committed to coordinate with local authorities and to deploy intelligence resources to investigate the sources of fraudulent identification documents and individuals or groups facilitating their use.
"Strengthening enforcement against document fraud helps protect legitimate travellers, safeguard airport security, and maintain the integrity of the aviation system," AirAsia stressed.
To address theft onboard, the AVSEGROUP and AirAsia discussed measures to strengthen incident response, evidence preservation, passenger assistance, and law enforcement coordination.
"Through collaboration and information-sharing, we can better protect passengers. We are not only addressing current challenges such as travel fraud and onboard theft, but we are also preparing for potential risks in the future," PNP AVSEGROUP Director Dionisio Bartolome Jr. was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, AirAsia representatives have also raised concerns regarding the implementation of the firearms escort requirement.
The airline said the AVSEGROUP committed to increasing the deployment of firearms facilitators to ensure full compliance with standard operating procedures, the continuous escort of firearms from acceptance through aircraft loading, and the conducting of regular reviews of firearms facilitation processes and documentation.
-- BERNAMA-PNA
