AirAsia Philippines reiterates no Vaping/Smoking Policy Onboard

Photo Caption: A surrendered vape handed over to the Airport Police Department after the violator was caught vaping onboard.

14 August 2025, Manila, Philippines — AirAsia Philippines has issued a strong reminder to all guests that vaping and smoking are strictly prohibited onboard all its flights, following recent incidents where guests were caught violating the policy.

Despite numerous placarded advisories and public announcements proactively initiated by the airline, from January to August 2025, the airline’s Security Department recorded 10 incidents with guests caught vaping mid-flight, either inside lavatories that triggered smoke detectors or openly in their seats.

AirAsia reminds guests that such acts violate Republic Act No. 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act) and Republic Act No. 11900 (Vape Regulation Act), which both ban vaping in public transport, including aircraft, and are likewise strictly banned under AirAsia Philippines’ published airline policies.

Guests found vaping face immediate referral to airport police upon arrival at the destination, with blotter entry, and possible fine up to ₱5,000 depending on the offense, potential charges under the Civil Aviation Authority Act (RA 9497) if safety is compromised, and administrative sanctions from the airline that may include a lifetime ban from all AirAsia Philippines flights.

“At AirAsia, every flight is anchored on safety, ensuring our guests will get to their destination safely and conveniently. Triggering a smoke detector can cause panic, unnecessary inconvenience and disrupt operations. Also, malfunctioning vaping devices may pose risk inside the cabin. While our team is highly trained in dealing with various situations on ground and in flight, we count on our guests’ cooperation and commitment in making sure safety is never compromised,” AirAsia Philippines Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, First Officer Steve F. Dailisan. 

To prevent such incidents, AirAsia maintains a visible and consistent no-smoking policy from the boarding gate to the aircraft cabin. Clear reminders are displayed on boarding passes, in pre-flight announcements, and on illuminated signage throughout the flight.

Lavatories are equipped with tamper-proof smoke detectors, and cabin crew remain vigilant in monitoring passenger activity, ensuring immediate intervention when necessary.

***PR14082025***

About AirAsia Philippines

AirAsia is a leading low-cost carrier with licenses to operate in five Asean countries—Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Founded in 2001, AirAsia has stayed true to its purpose and tagline "Now Everyone Can Fly". The airline has made flying affordable and accessible to over 800 million guests, connecting people and communities across more than 130 destinations. Today, as one of the largest airlines in the region, AirAsia is expanding to become the world's first global low cost network carrier. It operates more than 200 aircraft and holds a significant orderbook for the next decade. AirAsia leads in sustainable aviation with green initiatives and a net zero target by 2050. In 2023, it avoided 130,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions from its narrowbody regional network through 20+ efficiency measures, saving US$40 million in fuel and over US$388,000 in shadow carbon costs.

NOTE: The Communications and Public Affairs Group kindly requests for all media partners to follow the correct typography for the brand – for airline (AirAsia) spelled as one word with both As capitalized; and for non-airline (AirAsia MOVE) with MOVE capitalized.. 

For more information, feel free to contact:

AirAsia Philippines Communications and Public Affairs Team

paa_commsandpublicaffairs1@airasia.com