Personal protective equipment (PPE) will become part of the attire of AirAsia flight crew, according to the man behind the new uniform.
As Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia returns to domestic flights in Malaysia – on condition passengers wear their own face masks – its flight attendants could soon be seen in custom PPE uniforms.
Los Angeles-based designer Puey Quiñones revealed on Instagram that he had been asked to design a uniform for “the new normal” by AirAsia to protect its cabin crew from COVID-19.
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According to AirAsia Phillipines vice chair and majority shareholder Sheila Romero, the new PPE uniform has been approved by the country’s Department of Health to protect the airline’s “Allstars”.
“It is the responsibility of each one to flatten the curve,” Romero told the Manila Standard.
“At the same time, the PPE is designed to proudly announce that we are AirAsia and we will rise up from this pandemic. I want to boost the morale of our staff when they wear this new uniform.”
According to the Manila Standard, AirAsia debuted its new uniform on Friday during its special recovery flight from Bangkok to Manila.
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Romero believes the uniform’s “fusion of fashion and safety” will define new standards of flying.
“I compared different fabrics that have been approved by the DOH and even had a stress test done,” she said.
“The PPE is comfortable because it is not so thick and heavy, yet it serves its purpose. The material gives justice to the design. I like that it’s chic and sporty – similar to what F1 race car drivers wear.”
As of Wednesday, AirAsia has returned to flying on domestic routes in Malaysia. Flights to Thailand, India, Indonesia and the Philippines are expected to follow – subject to approval from authorities.
The airline has introduced several mandatory safety measures that passengers must observe, including the requirement of wearing a fitted face mask before, during and after flights, as well as during check-in and bag collection.
AirAsia has also introduced a cabin baggage allowance of only one piece (instead of the usual two), which cannot exceed seven kilograms, as well as the requirement for passengers to arrive at airports at least three hours before departure.
Featured image: Instagram/@pueyquinones
