Philippines slams Malaysia's AirAsia for ‘criminal' ticket prices, shuts down website
The Philippines has ordered AirAsia's digital platform to stop selling airline tickets in the country following complaints it charged illegally high fares.
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The authorities have asked the police to take down AirAsia MOVE's website as part of a cease-and-desist order by the Civil Aeronautics Board, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said at a press conference on Monday.
The aviation agency, which sets price ceilings for airfares in the country, says the company raised its prices following transportation troubles in Tacloban City due to the closure of a key bridge to trucks.
What AirAsia MOVE is doing is criminal
Philippine Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon
'We will really put the full force of the law on these unscrupulous online platforms who are taking advantage of our people,' Dizon said.
Authorities will move to immediately file a case for 'criminal economic sabotage' against the digital platform, which is owned by Capital A Berhad, Dizon added.
Malaysia -based AirAsia MOVE, which is an affiliate of budget carrier Philippines AirAsia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Philippine Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon speaks to the media last month. Photo: Reuters
At the weekend, AirAsia MOVE was charging 77,000 pesos (US$1,380) for a one-way ticket from Manila to Tacloban City via Philippine Airlines, three times the price quoted when directly booking in the flag carrier's website, transportation ministry data showed.
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The Philippines has ordered AirAsia's digital platform to stop selling airline tickets in the country following complaints it charged illegally high fares. Advertisement The authorities have asked the police to take down AirAsia MOVE's website as part of a cease-and-desist order by the Civil Aeronautics Board, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said at a press conference on Monday. The aviation agency, which sets price ceilings for airfares in the country, says the company raised its prices following transportation troubles in Tacloban City due to the closure of a key bridge to trucks. What AirAsia MOVE is doing is criminal Philippine Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon 'We will really put the full force of the law on these unscrupulous online platforms who are taking advantage of our people,' Dizon said. Authorities will move to immediately file a case for 'criminal economic sabotage' against the digital platform, which is owned by Capital A Berhad, Dizon added. Malaysia -based AirAsia MOVE, which is an affiliate of budget carrier Philippines AirAsia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Philippine Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon speaks to the media last month. Photo: Reuters At the weekend, AirAsia MOVE was charging 77,000 pesos (US$1,380) for a one-way ticket from Manila to Tacloban City via Philippine Airlines, three times the price quoted when directly booking in the flag carrier's website, transportation ministry data showed.
