Contactless transactions, less carry-on luggage as local airlines adjust to pandemic to protect travelers
Published May 21, 2020 7:26:38 PM
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) — Local airlines have introduced new measures to reduce physical contact among travelers in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
“[M]adami po tayong nailatag na safety measures para sa ating mga pasahero to make sure that their travel is as safe and smooth as possible,” David de Castro, spokesperson of AirAsia Philippines, told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon. “Isa na po diyan ang ating mga contactless transactions and kiosks at the airport.”
[Translation: We have laid out many safety measures for our passengers to make sure that their travel is safe and smooth as possible. Among them are our contactless transcations and kiosks at the airport.]
Mobile and web check-ins have also been encouraged by fellow companies Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.
“We will strongly encourage yung contactless flights para maiwasan na yung physical contact sa ibang mga tao, lalo na yung ground staff at ating mga personnel,” said Cebu Pacific director for communications Charo Lagamon.
[Translation: We will strongly encourage contactless flights to avoid physical contact with other people, especially ground staff and our personnel.]
Airlines have also introduced restrictions in the volume of carry-on luggage allowed per passenger.
For instance, Philippine Airlines has reduced the allowed weight for carry-on luggage from 7 kilograms to 2. The extra 5 kilograms will be added to the free check-in baggage allocated per traveler, explained Cielo Villaluna, the flag carrier’s spokesperson.
Passengers will also be allowed to bring in-flight two additional lightweight items such as a coat or a laptop in a case on top of their carry-on luggage, she added. The list of objects can be found in Philippine Airlines’ website.
“Ang rationale dito, para maiwasan at malimita ang contact. There will be fewer contact between the passenger and his fellow passenger or the passenger and the crew, because kapag mabigat ang gamit, ang tendency humihingi po tayo ng assistance at dahil dito ay nagkakaroon ng contact,” she explained.
[Translation: The rationale here is to avoid and limit contact. Our tendency is to ask for assistance when our luggage is heavy and this leads to contact.]
This, however, will only take effect while the pandemic still persists, added Villaluna.
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines have limited carry-on luggage to one piece per passenger.
This is “[t]o facilitate social distancing during boarding and disembarkation,” said the AsiaAsia Philippines in a post online.
These measures have been put in place apart from the airlines’ protocols on social distancing, wearing of face masks for passengers and personnel, and measures on disinfecting and sanitation.
The three airlines have announced earlier this month that their domestic and international flights will remain cancelled until the end of May with the imposition of enhanced community quarantine on some parts of the country from May 16 to 31.
