Philippines to sue AirAsia Move for ‘economic sabotage' over inflated airfares in typhoon-hit region
MANILA, June 4 — The Philippine government will be filing an economic sabotage case against AirAsia Move. This is after the online travel booking platform was found selling its flight tickets at a much higher rate than they should be.
In a statement, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said AirAsia Move has taken advantage of the dire transport situation that was caused by the partial closure of the San Juanico Bridge which was implemented to prevent structural deterioration.
As the 2.16km bridge is the primary link between Samar and Leyte islands, the restriction has a major effect on the economy in the region.
Vince has highlighted the experience of Richard Gomez, the Leyte 4th District Representative, who has to pay almost PHP40,000 (~RM3,053) for a 1-way ticket from Tacloban to Manila. As a comparison, the actual air fare for the 1 hour 25 minutes is said to be around PHP12,000 (~RM916).
The case will be filed by the country's Department of Transport (DOTr) and Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), while the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will also look into the pricing issue.
At the same time, Vince has instructed the Philippine National Police's Anti-Cybercrime Group to shut down access to the AirAsia Move app for the time being.
AirAsia Move: We didn't set the price manually
Meanwhile, AirAsia Move has provided its side of the story through a statement by its CEO, Nadia Omer.
The company said that the discrepancies in the airfare for certain routes, including domestic flights operated by the national carrier Philippine Airlines, were caused by a temporary data synchronisation issue with flight pricing partners.
AirAsia Move also pointed out that the pricing discrepancy has also affected other booking platforms such as Agoda, Kiwi.com, and Traveloka. The company further insists it does not set or manipulate the airfares manually.
The statement also highlighted that AirAsia Move has taken immediate action once it noticed the discrepancy by highlighting it to the 3rd party pricing provider.
In addition to that, the platform has implemented several measures to prevent such incidents in the near future. — SoyaCincau
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
VinFast Philippines secures official CAMPI membership
Ms. Mai Anh, CEO of VinFast Philippines (center left), and Mr. Rommel Gutierrez, President of CAMPI (center right), at the event celebrating CAMPI's 30th anniversary. MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 June 2025Founded in 1995, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) has been instrumental in championing the interests of the automotive sector, contributing significantly to the nation's economic growth. As of May 2025, the association accounts for more than 92 percent of Philippine auto to developing a viable and self-sustaining local industry, CAMPI works closely with the government and key stakeholders to shape policies, regulations, and standards that drive economic growth. Through its efforts, CAMPI promotes investment, job creation, skills development, technology transfer, environmental protection, and road safety across the a member of CAMPI, VinFast will work alongside other leading automotive players to help shape policies, programs, and industry standards that support innovation and sustainable a year since its market entry in the Philippines, VinFast has steadily expanded its presence with its portfolio of smart EV models, attractive sales offerings, and a continuously refined after-sales support strong backing from Vingroup, Vietnam's leading conglomerate, and the strategic determination of Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong, VinFast is actively pursuing the development of a comprehensive "For a Green Future" ecosystem across Southeast Asia, placing strong emphasis on the collaborative growth of charging infrastructure and service networks. This framework, established successfully in Vietnam, is now being extended to promising markets such as the a diverse portfolio that includes the VF 3, VF 5, VF 6, VF 7, and VF 9, VinFast offers a broad range of sustainable mobility solutions. The VinFast VF 6, in particular, is poised to be a key driver for EV adoption in the Philippines, building on its strong performance in Vietnam and favorable reception in European markets. It presents an enticing and affordable option for Filipino consumers eager to embrace eco-friendly #vinfast The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About VinFast VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam's largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast's product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-buses. VinFast is currently embarking on its next growth phase through rapid expansion of its distribution and dealership network globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities with a focus on key markets across North America, Europe and Asia. Learn more at
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
AirAsia Move unveils new travel strategy
BANGKOK: AirAsia Move, which is owned by Capital A Bhd, plans to reshape the travel experience across Asean through bold, forward-thinking strategies that go well beyond traditional booking platforms. Chief executive officer Nadia Omer shared that the company is consistently enhancing its travel app by deepening customer engagement, strengthening regional collaborations, and offering unique, curated experiences tailored to the needs of today's discerning travellers. With domestic and intra-Asean travel on the rise, she noted that AirAsia Move is also championing staycations and affordable regional getaways to meet the evolving preferences of modern explorers. "We're focused on expanding travel opportunities within Thailand, Malaysia and throughout Asean. This year we are seeing a lot of growth in domestic travel and we are promoting staycation as an occasion. "With inter-Asean travel steadily increasing, we are creating affordable shorter vacations and easy-on-the-pocket bundles," she told reporters, after launching AirAsia Move's new tagline 'Travel More for Less' and unveiling a symbolic aircraft livery at the Don Mueang Maintenance Centre in Thailand on Wednesday. Nadia also noted that the company is exploring partnerships to tap into the growing intersection between travel and entertainment. "We're seeing concerts becoming a major travel driver and we're working on partnerships to bundle concert tickets with flights and hotel stays," she said. Nadia said AirAsia Move is partnering with organisations such as Asean Tourism Association and will launch a dedicated travel guide for Asean tourists soon. "It will serve as a one-stop platform for information such as must-visit destinations and visa requirements while also inspiring visitors to discover the hidden gems scattered across Asean," she added. Nadia said the company aspires to become the most loved travel app in Asean within five years by meeting unmet customer needs and creating memorable experiences. "We have a big task ahead, not just to satisfy our customers but to truly delight them and address their needs. It's a challenge for me and my team, but we're ready for it as we want to earn a place in customers' hearts," she said. On the new tagline, Nadia said the initiative underscores AirAsia Move's deepening commitment to Thailand as a core market and reinforces its vision of making travel more affordable and inclusive for all. She noted that Thailand was chosen as the starting point for the new tagline, given its vibrant appeal and strategic role as a major travel hub in the region. "Travellers today want more than just flights. They want flexibility, simplicity and value. And that's exactly what Move is built to deliver – travelling more for less."
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Philippines signs deal for 12 South Korean fighter jets
The FA-50 fighter jets will feature enhanced capabilities including advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems. (Wikipedia pic) MANILA : The Philippines has signed a contract for 12 more FA-50 fighter jets, its South Korean manufacturer said today, three months after one of the planes crashed during a mission against communist rebels. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) valued the deal with the department of national defence at US$700 million, with delivery of the jets to be completed by 2030. The Philippines, which has yet to confirm the pact, previously purchased a dozen of the light warplanes in 2014. In a statement, the South Korean firm said the fighter jets would feature enhanced capabilities including 'aerial refueling for extended range, (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems'. One of the Philippines' original fleet of FA-50s went missing on March 4 while on a mission to provide air support for troops fighting guerrillas in a mountainous area of the southern island of Mindanao. Rescuers found the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of two crewmen a day later. After temporarily grounding the fleet, the Philippine air force ruled out any mechanical problems with the aircraft. Air force spokesman Maria Consuelo Castillo told a press conference in April that a confluence of factors had contributed to the crash, including mountainous terrain and visibility issues. Castillo said in March that the purchase of additional FA-50s was under consideration by the defence department.
