SEPANG: AirAsia Group has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Board of Counsellors Malaysia (Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia) to integrate professional psychosocial support into its emergency response framework, bolstering the airline group’s crisis preparedness across its regional network.
The agreement was formalised yesterday (June 9), witnessed by Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Lim Hui Ying and AirAsia Group Chief Operations Officer Captain Suresh Bangah.
Under the MOA, the Board of Counsellors Malaysia will deploy trained, registered counsellors to support employees, survivors, victims and their families during emergencies or crises across the group’s operational network.
Both parties will also collaborate on emergency response preparedness, psychosocial first aid, disaster response exercises and specialised training programmes for personnel across all AirAsia Group air operator certificates.
Suresh said the partnership reflected the group’s commitment to addressing both the operational and human dimensions of crisis response.
“By working together with the Board of Counsellors Malaysia, we are reinforcing our ability to provide timely care, compassion and assistance to affected individuals, families and to our Allstars during challenging situations,” he said.
Board of Counsellors Malaysia Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Sadli Osman said the collaboration marked a significant step in embedding psychosocial care within the aviation industry’s safety ecosystem.
“We commend AirAsia for recognising the importance of mental well-being and psychosocial care as part of a comprehensive safety and emergency response ecosystem,” he said.
As part of the arrangement, AirAsia Group will also provide transportation and logistical support for counsellors deployed during emergency situations, training programmes and simulation exercises across selected destinations within its network.
The company is currently in the process of changing its name from AirAsia X to AirAsia Group Berhad, pending shareholder approval at its 19th Annual General Meeting and registration with the Companies Commission of Malaysia.
