In-flight theft is on the rise, with Malaysian authorities reporting a significant increase in cases. Passengers are advised to be vigilant and take steps to protect their valuables.
In-flight theft is a growing problem that airlines are facing, regardless of which company is operating the flight. Last month, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said 267 in-flight thefts aboard passenger aircraft were reported to KL International Airport authorities since 2022, resulting in the arrest of 30 foreigners. “In 2022, we recorded 33 such cases. This jumped to 88 in 2023, and for the first 10 months of 2024, 146 cases were reported.
“Those behind the thefts usually operate alone or in small groups of up to four people aboard flights within Malaysia and the region. They steal the valuables of passengers from their carry-on luggage, including credit cards, jewellery, cash and wallets.” Considering its growing incidence, crime analyst Datuk Shahul Hamid Abd Rahim warned passengers to stay vigilant during long-haul journeys and on flights when the lights are dimmed. “Such conditions create ideal opportunities for in-flight theft, which is unique in that it combines opportunistic criminal behaviour with vulnerabilities in passenger habits and airline procedures.” He said under certain circumstances, perpetrators act with minimal risk of detection, especially when lights are dimmed during night flights or rest periods, providing cover for thieves to operate unnoticed. He also said passengers often unintentionally make mistakes that increase their vulnerability to theft during flights. “One common error is keeping wallets, passports and electronics in overhead bins rather than keeping them in a bag under the seat, where they would be more secure. “Complacency during long flights, especially by assuming the airline will handle all security measures, also puts belongings at ris
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