VTL By Air Programme Implements New ‘Test And Release’ Arrival Process

As part of efforts to standardise the health and safety protocols for passengers travelling under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) By Air with other participating countries such as Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand, Malaysia Airports together with Ministry of Transport have obtained the approval and support from Ministry of Health to implement the ‘Test and Release’ arrival process starting from 16 March 2022.

Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Dato’ Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said, “This enhanced process will mean that travellers no longer have to wait for their COVID-19 RT-PCR screening test results at the airport. Instead, they can immediately take private transportation, taxi or private hire car from the airport to their declared accommodation in their MySejahtera Home Surveillance Order (HSO) upon clearing immigration. This will provide greater flexibility and comfort to VTL travellers while they wait for their test results which will be provided within 24 hours. Once the test result is confirmed to be negative, their HSO status in MySejahtera will be lifted by the authorities, the traveller can proceed with their activities freely in Malaysia.”

He added that Malaysia Airports is working closely with the authorities to improve services and facilities at the airport in order to deliver the best customer experience. Apart from enabling passengers to clear airport processes faster, this latest enhancement will also minimise congestion at the airport in view of the multiple VTL by Air programme that are being implemented. VTL by Air for Cambodia and Thailand has commenced from 15 March, while VTL by Air with Singapore is expanded to include a new Malaysian destination i.e Penang starting from 16 March 2022.

With the upcoming border reopening on 1 April 2022, the airport operator has ramped up efforts even further. Most recently, two of its international airports, KL and Langkawi were named among the world’s best airports within their respective categories in the global Airport Service Quality survey by Airports Council International (ACI).