AirAsia X, which is currently preparing for its strategic rebranding to AirAsia Group Berhad, has formalized a major partnership to reinforce its emergency preparedness and psychosocial support capabilities. The long-haul carrier signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Board of Counsellors Malaysia, also known as Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia, to integrate professional mental health and emotional care into its regional safety resilience and crisis management frameworks.
The official signing ceremony was witnessed by notable officials, including Yang Berhormat Lim Hui Ying, the Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, alongside Captain Suresh Bangah, the Group Chief Operations Officer of AirAsia Group. This strategic collaboration bridges the gap between logistical emergency response and human-centric crisis care by embedding registered mental health professionals directly into the airline group’s humanitarian assistance framework.
Under the newly established agreement, the two organizations will collaborate on several critical fronts to strengthen the overall emergency preparedness ecosystem. This includes the deployment of registered counsellors during times of crisis, providing vital psychological first aid, and conducting joint disaster response exercises. Furthermore, the partnership mandates specialized training programs tailored for AirAsia Group personnel across all its Air Operator Certificates, ensuring that frontliners and crisis teams are well-equipped to handle the emotional toll of aviation emergencies.
Through this network-wide partnership, the Board of Counsellors Malaysia will deploy trained, registered professionals to offer immediate emotional support to employees, survivors, victims, and family members affected during any unforeseen emergencies. The collaboration also outlines plans for joint simulation exercises and knowledge-sharing initiatives designed to enhance existing emergency response protocols and operational readiness across the carrier’s extensive regional network.
According to Captain Suresh Bangah, safety and guest well-being remain at the absolute core of the airline’s operations. He emphasized that the collaboration reflects a deep commitment to strengthening both operational readiness and the human element of crisis response. By partnering with the Board of Counsellors Malaysia, the airline aims to reinforce its ability to provide timely care, compassion, and assistance to affected individuals, families, and its own employees during challenging situations.
Expressing support for the initiative, Tuan Haji Sadli Bin Osman, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Board of Counsellors, highlighted that this agreement marks an important milestone for psychosocial care within the aviation industry. He noted that registered counsellors will contribute vital expertise in emotional support and psychological first aid during disasters, while praising the airline group for recognizing mental well-being as a critical component of a comprehensive safety ecosystem.
To ensure the seamless execution of these initiatives, AirAsia Group will facilitate transportation and logistical support for the counsellors when they are deployed for emergency response situations, training programs, and simulation exercises across the airline’s network. This logistical backing ensures that professional help can arrive swiftly where it is needed most. Ultimately, the Memorandum of Agreement underscores a shared vision of safety, resilience, and compassionate care, proving that modern aviation safety extends far beyond the mechanical and operational aspects of flight.