8 Oct 2026, Manila — AirAsia Philippines reminds guests to be mindful of their words and actions at airports and onboard aircraft as the airline records a rise in bomb joke incidents that can disrupt flight operations and trigger security procedures.
As of October 2026, AirAsia Philippines Security Operations has recorded five bomb joke incidents, compared with two cases recorded throughout 2025. The incidents occurred at different points of the passenger journey, including check-in counters, boarding gates and onboard aircraft prior to departure.
While some remarks may be intended as jokes, any statement suggesting the presence of a bomb or explosive device is treated as a security concern. Such incidents can trigger additional security checks, including passenger and baggage searches, which can cause flight delays.
Guests who make bomb-related remarks may be denied boarding or removed from the flight and referred to the PNP-AVSEGROUP for appropriate handling depending on the circumstances. They may also be subject to blacklisting from future travel with AirAsia Philippines, in accordance with applicable airline procedures and case review.
“Our operations have always been anchored in keeping operational reliability and safety. However, any perceived risk necessitates rigorous compliance measures that impact the entire passenger experience as well as the airline’s operational efficiency. Previous incidents serve as a reminder for guests to continuously learn and remain committed to keeping every flight safe and comfortable for everyone,” AirAsia Philippines President & General Manager Anna Victoria Lu shares.
AirAsia Philippines reminds guests to think before making a joke
Travelers are encouraged to:
- Remember that bomb jokes and false threats are taken seriously, whether made at the check-in counter, during security screening, at the boarding gate or onboard an aircraft.
- Avoid making remarks suggesting that they or their baggage contain bombs or explosives, even in jest.
- Immediately report threatening remarks or suspicious items to airline personnel, cabin crew or airport police.
- Cooperate with security checks and follow instructions from airline personnel and authorities.
Under Presidential Decree No. 1727, commonly known as the Anti-Bomb Joke Law, the willful communication of false information concerning bombs, explosives or similar destructive devices, under circumstances covered by the law, may carry criminal penalties.
Upon conviction, a person may face imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to PHP40,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.
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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 900 million guests, connecting people and communities across more than 150 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 250 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 2025, it avoided 135,788 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2025 through 19 fuel efficiency initiatives, achieving US$30,939,120 in fuel savings and over US$2,715,767 in shadow carbon cost reductions.
