Malaysia’s AirAsia says it will be first airline to check passports against Interpol database

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Top Asian budget carrier AirAsia says it will become the world’s first airline to check passports of all its passengers against Interpol’s database of 42 million stolen or lost travel documents by the end of this month.

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 two months ago revealed a gaping loophole in aviation security when two passengers were found to have boarded the plane with stolen passports. Interpol said it had information about the theft of the passports but authorities hadn’t checked its database.

AirAsia is also based in Malaysia. It said Tuesday it will use Interpol’s system to screen passports when passengers check in throughout its international network. It quoted Interpol chief Ronald Noble as saying the move will “raise the bar” for safety and security across the industry.