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C.I.Q. Passenger
C.I.Q. stands for Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine. A C.I.Q. passenger is a passenger who has already cleared all three of these checkpoints at their departure airport and is, therefore, able to proceed directly to their connecting flight without having to go through them again at their transit airport. This is typically only available for passengers who are connecting to flights to other major international destinations.
For example, passengers who are leaving Thailand and have already gone through customs, immigration, and quarantine at their departure airport. They are ready to leave the country but have to go to Bangkok to connect with their next flight, where they do not have to go through the checkpoints again.
C.I.Q. passengers are typically identified by their boarding pass, which will have a special C.I.Q. sticker on it. They will also be directed to a special C.I.Q. lane at the airport, where they will be able to proceed through security and to their connecting flight without having to go through the regular checkpoints. However, passengers who have successfully completed C.I.Q. must remain in the international zone. They cannot enter the domestic zone because they are considered to be in transit and are not allowed to enter the country. The domestic zone of an airport is for passengers who are traveling within the country. C.I.Q. passengers are not allowed to enter the domestic zone because they are not yet cleared to enter the country.
The baggage will be automatically checked through from your departure city to the destination city under the conditions of alliance airlines.
Note: In the case of passengers from abroad traveling to Thailand, this form of passenger is not called a C.I.Q. and is classified as a Transfer Passenger. Immigration will be carried out in Bangkok, while baggage and customs will be processed at the final destination.
C.I.Q. passengers can save a significant amount of time by using this service, especially if they are connecting to a long-haul flight. However, it is important to note that not all airports offer C.I.Q. services, and even at airports that do, there may be restrictions on who is eligible to use them.
Here are some examples of airports that offer C.I.Q. Services for connecting passengers:
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Samui International Airport (USM)
Udon Thani International Airport (UTP)
Examples of C.I.Q. passenger travel routes
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Phuket International Airport (HKT), connecting to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), connecting to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL): Thai Airways, Thai Smile
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Samui International Airport (USM), connecting to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG): Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Udon Thani International Airport (UTP), connecting to Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX): Thai Airways, Thai Smile
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Narita International Airport (NRT), connecting to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Thai Airways, Japan Airlines
Some common problems that airline staff have to deal with are C.I.Q. passengers:
Passengers do not understand the C.I.Q. process. Some passengers may not be aware that they are eligible for C.I.Q. services, or they may not understand how the process works. This can lead to confusion and delays at the airport.
Passengers with special needs. C.I.Q. passengers with special needs, such as disabilities or medical conditions, may need additional assistance from airline staff. This can be challenging for airline staff to provide, especially if there are a large number of C.I.Q. passengers with special needs.
Passengers who are disruptive or aggressive. Some C.I.Q. passengers may be disruptive or aggressive, which can make it difficult for airline staff to do their job. This can be a safety hazard for both passengers and airline staff.
Dialogue
An example of a conversation between airport check-in staff and the passenger who is C.I.Q. passenger about the check-through baggage. The staff explains the check-through baggage and the process that the passenger has to do at the transit and at the destination airport.
Check-in staff: Good morning, sir. I see that you are a C.I.Q. passenger to Singapore. I can check your baggage through to your destination.
C.I.Q. passenger: Great. Thank you.
Check-in staff: Once you arrive at Phuket International Airport, you will follow the signs for C.I.Q. passengers. You will need to present your boarding pass with the C.I.Q. sticker to the immigration officer. The immigration officer will stamp your passport, and you will be free to proceed to your connecting flight.
C.I.Q. passenger: And at Singapore Changi Airport?
Check-in staff: At Singapore Changi Airport, you will follow the signs for C.I.Q. passengers. You will need to present your boarding pass with the C.I.Q. sticker to the immigration officer. The immigration officer will stamp your passport, and you will be able to claim your baggage at the baggage claim carousel for your flight number.
C.I.Q. passenger: Okay. Thank you for the explanation.
Check-in staff: You're welcome. Have a safe flight.
C.I.Q. passenger: Thank you. You too.
Some common misunderstandings that C.I.Q. passengers have:
They can leave the airport. In fact, C.I.Q. passengers are not allowed to leave the airport until they have cleared customs and immigration at their destination airport.
They do not need to go through security again. C.I.Q. passengers may still need to go through security again at their destination airport, depending on the airport's security procedures.
They can always check their baggage through to their final destination. C.I.Q. passengers are eligible for check-through baggage to their final destination, subject to the airline's baggage allowance. However, they may need to claim their baggage at the baggage claim carousel for their connecting flight and recheck it through to their final destination.
Dialogue
Check-in staff: Good morning, sir. I see that you are a C.I.Q. passenger. That means that you have already cleared customs and immigration at your origin airport.
C.I.Q. passenger: Yes, that's correct.
Check-in staff: Great. I can check your baggage through to your connecting flight. However, I need to explain that as a C.I.Q. passenger, you will not be able to leave the airport at your transit airport, nor will you be able to enter the domestic area.
C.I.Q. passenger: Why is that?
Check-in staff: This is because you have already cleared customs and immigration at your origin airport. This means that you are considered to be in transit and are not allowed to enter the country until you have cleared customs and immigration at your destination airport.
C.I.Q. passenger: I see. So I will have to stay in the international zone at the transit airport?
Check-in staff: That's correct. You will be able to access all of the facilities in the international zone, such as restaurants, shops, and lounges. However, you will not be able to leave the international zone or enter the domestic area.
C.I.Q. passenger: Okay. I understand.
Check-in staff: Is there anything else I can help you with today?
C.I.Q. passenger: No, that's all. Thank you for your help.
Check-in staff: You're welcome. Have a safe flight.
C.I.Q. passenger: Thank you. You too.
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