AirAsia clarifies use of wheelchairs at airports

From source : www.theborneopost.com , 9 Jan 2014

Dear Editor,

WE refer to the letter written by A Concerned Citizen in the Letters to the Editor section, published by The Borneo Post on Sunday, Jan 5 2014, with the headline ‘Exorbitant fees for usage of wheelchairs at airports’.

AirAsia would like to clarify that usage of wheelchair on all AirAsia flights is complimentary for all disabled guests (OKU). Disabled guests only need to key in their OKU / disability card number during the online flight booking process and present the actual card upon check-in at the airport. They will be fully assisted from the wheelchair counter to the aircraft, and the ambulift will be used to board the disabled guest.

We also work closely with the Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation, Persatuan Mobiliti Selangor & Kuala Lumpur, Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development; as well as YMCA and Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia to provide training to our staff to continuously improve our service level to disabled guests.

The wheelchair service is also available for pre-booking at AirAsia’s website for non-disabled guests who might require it. This service is at a minimal RM30 one way when pre-booked online.

To pre-book the wheelchair service, guests are required to select ‘YES’ at the option menu at the bottom of the flight selection page on our website, which will then be listed under ‘Add-ons’ in the ‘Traveller details’ page. It is available up to 4 hours prior to departure via our booking channels.

Non-disabled guests who require the usage of wheelchairs without pre-booking online will be charged RM60 for a single usage. This fee includes the cost of additional manpower which is required to manage the service.

AirAsia Berhad