AirAsia Berhad has defended its action of barring 14-month old Mariam Sofea Mohd Reza and her mother Izan Suhaila, 36, from boarding a flight from Ho Chi Minh to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

In a statement, AirAsia said the child was denied entry onboard flight AK1455 as she was infected with chicken pox and the matter was confirmed by a Vietnamese airport doctor who declared her unfit for travel.

The airline company said Mariam Sofea was not fit to fly as the medical report showed she was travelling three days after early symptoms appeared and was found to have a fever, watery eyes, runny nose and rashes on parts of her body.

NONE AirAsia CEO Aireen Omar (left) said the airline's ground representative provided necessary assistance to the mother and child and made arrangements to fly them, and two accompanying adults, for free once the child was medically fit to take to the air.

"We have also offered them hotel and transportation arrangements. However, the guests confirmed they had the necessary assistance to extend their stay in Ho Chi Minh City," she said.

Aireen said AirAsia was adhering to global health regulations and standards in which a guest with chicken pox may only travel five days after the first symptoms or rashes appeared and must possess a valid medical certificate or doctor's letter to confirm they were fit to travel.

- The Malay Mail

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