AirAsia Philippines reiterates no Vaping/Smoking Policy Onboard

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

Following recent incidences involving guests breaching the policy, AirAsia Philippines has issued a firm reminder to all visitors that vaping and smoking are completely prohibited on all of its flights.

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

AirAsia warns passengers that such behaviors contravene Republic Act Nos. 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act) and 11900 (Vape Regulation Act), all of which prohibit vaping in public transportation, including airplanes, and are also strictly prohibited by AirAsia Philippines' published airline policy.

If a guest is caught vaping at an airport, they will be referred to police and may face a fine of up to ₱5,000, charges under the Civil Aviation Authority Act (RA 9497), and administrative sanctions from AirAsia Philippines, including a lifetime ban from all future 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.” ~First Officer Steve F. Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs

To avoid such accidents, AirAsia enforces a clear and consistent no-smoking policy from the boarding gate to the plane cabin.  Clear reminders appear on boarding cards, pre-flight announcements, and LED signage during the journey.

The lavatories have tamper-proof smoke detectors, and the cabin crew is always monitoring passenger activity to ensure prompt response when necessary.

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.