KUALA LUMPUR: Former transport minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has raised concerns about the differing security protocols between Senai Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, following an incident where an elderly man was initially denied boarding at the airport in Johor.
Dr Wee stated that the man’s daughter had obtained e-boarding passes for both herself and her father on her mobile phone. However, she was informed that her father’s e-boarding pass was invalid because each individual must have their own pass on their mobile phone.
“I would like to share an incident that occurred at Senai Airport (LTS), which can be a learning experience for all passengers,” Dr Wee wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday (Nov 5).
He explained that a female passenger approached him for help while they were queuing at the security counter. The woman appeared anxious and showed him her mobile phone.
The woman explained that she had completed the e-boarding process for both herself and her father on her mobile phone as her father did not possess one.
“However, the guards did not allow her father to enter the security area and board the flight because only one e-boarding pass is allowed per mobile phone,” he added, noting that her father’s e-boarding pass on her phone was deemed invalid.
Dr Wee pointed out that this issue only occurs at Senai Airport and is not a problem at KLIA.
“The guard at the counter informed the woman that only Malaysia Airlines (MAS) does not allow two e-boarding passes on the same mobile phone,” he stated, clarifying that AirAsia permits this.
Fortunately, a MAS duty officer intervened and the woman’s father was eventually allowed to board the flight.
Dr Wee questioned why only one e-boarding pass is allowed per mobile phone.
“What about elderly passengers who are illiterate or do not possess a mobile phone? Why does AirAsia permit two e-boarding passes on one mobile phone?” he inquired.
He also questioned the discrepancy in the e-boarding standard operating procedure between MAS at Senai Airport and KLIA.
“What is the rationale behind this practice? Why was the passenger only allowed to board the plane after MAS officials intervened?” Dr Wee questioned, urging MAS management to review the SOP and engage with Senai Airport management and auxiliary police to prevent such incidents in the future.
