AirAsia Thailand Head of Government Relations and Secretary-General of the Airlines Association of Thailand Krid Pattanasan said: “Domestic travel will be the first to restart with the reopening of Phuket from 1 July 2021. Thai and foreign travelers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to enter Phuket under strict government guidelines. This initiative will soon be extended to other destinations including Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya and Hua Hin. AirAsia has been rigorously preparing for this much awaited programme and its Allstars are all ready to welcome and facilitate guests, including by getting themselves vaccinated to ensure the safety, wellbeing and peace of mind for all guests.”

By the end of June 2021, over 80 percent of AirAsia Allstars would have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While priority is given to those who would be in direct contact with guests such as ground staff, cabin crew and pilots, those working as baggage handlers, technical crew and engineering staff are also ensured to receive the vaccine.

Senior Cabin Crew Lunchakorn Saengsiri remarked that as a frontline staff in direct contact with guests, receiving a full vaccination has provided great confidence when interacting with his co-workers, his family and AirAsia guests. He expressed confidence that air travel is well on its recovery path as vaccinations make it safer for both airlines and guests.

He noted that despite the low frequency of flights currently, he and his colleagues have been maintaining the utmost in safety and hygiene standards for every flight. Close contact with passengers has been reduced to the minimum in accordance with state regulations while the consumption of food and sale of goods in-flight have been completely restricted.

For Senior Cabin Crew Tapachcha Khanpimool, most people have been adapting to the situation and she expressed belief that once vaccinations become widespread air travel will quickly return, especially the much anticipated domestic travel.

“Our cabin crew are ready to serve and we are excited to return to full service. We are very excited to return to flying and have ensured that we are fully ready by protecting ourselves and staying up to date on the latest information so that we can provide the best possible service to our guests.”

Meanwhile, Ramp Agent Noppalit Budrath shared that despite everyone in his department having been fully vaccinated, it is crucial that the highest safety and hygiene measures continue to be observed. He said this is especially true as in the course of his duties delivering aircraft for service and to be present during landing and take-off, he would frequently come into contact with passengers.