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Yellow tape on AirAsia plane seats was 'cosmetic repairs' and 'not a safety issue,' says airline

The airliner offered an explanation after several seats appeared to be covered with a conspicuous yellow tape over their armrests

TAIPEI, TAIWAN: AirAsia has issued a statement regarding the photos circulating on social media of the airline's seats being covered with yellow tape over their armrests on February 21, Tuesday. This comes after a Facebook user Edward Yong shared images on Monday, showing several seats appeared to be covered with a conspicuous yellow tape over their armrests. 

"I feel malu (embarrassed). Foreigners must be thinking they are going to a very backward country. Planes are held together with tape. WTF. International flight!!" the user captioned his post alongside images of several rows of seats on the plane covered with tape. The flight, D7379, was traveling from Taipei, Taiwan to Kuala Lumpur, according to Mr Yong. Speaking to CNA, the head of engineering at AirAsia X said that the yellow vinyl tape covering the armrests of seats was "cosmetic cabin repairs" and that the tape was a "temporary measure". 

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'Not a safety issue'

Mr Alvin Tan also emphasized that the matter was “not a safety issue” and the tape was used due to a shortage of spare parts concerning the airline's operations. "The specific vinyl tape, commonly used for cosmetic cabin repairs, was used as a temporary measure to prevent flight disruptions, and to prioritise getting our guests safely and timely to their destinations," he said. "Spare parts orders placed in August 2022 have arrived last week, and repair work is currently ongoing progressively to fix all of the armcaps."

'Shows the quality of maintenance?'

Netizens were quick to comment on the surfaced images as one wrote, "Only business class not affected." Another Facebook user commented, "There must be a reason those tapes were there cause it is just ridiculous the whole plane seat is spoiled at the same time and they still let it on air..." Some internet users even called the flight's maintenance cheap and embarrassing as one said, "Shows the quality of maintenance?" while another jokingly added, "Why don't use Maggi?"

A user on Twitter seemingly held a different opinion as their tweet read, "so they want a first-class seat, first-class service, on some budget airlines? Pls lower expectations and have some understanding ..... Pay peanuts, u won't get elephants, u get monkeys, or they prefer Scoot?"

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