AirAsia's digital platform ordered to halt airline ticket sales in Manila
KUALA LUMPUR: The Philippines has ordered AirAsia's digital platform, AirAsia Move, to cease all airline ticket sales in the country following complaints that it was charging illegally high fares.
Inquirer.Net reported that the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) issued a cease-and-desist order against the platform, with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announcing on Sunday that police had been instructed to take down its website.
The move came after reports surfaced of exorbitant ticket prices during recent transport disruptions in Tacloban City.
According to the Philippines' Transportation Department, a one-way ticket from Manila to Tacloban listed on AirAsia Move costs as much as 77,000 pesos (about RM6,300), nearly three times the price offered by Philippine Airlines for the same route.
"The government will not tolerate these abusive practices. We will use the full force of the law against unscrupulous online platforms exploiting the public," Dizon was quoted as saying in a press conference.
He said the authorities were preparing to file a case of criminal economic sabotage against the platform, which is owned by Capital A Berhad and affiliated with budget airline Philippines AirAsia.
The CAB, which regulates airfare pricing in the country, noted that the excessive fares appeared to take advantage of limited transport options in Tacloban after a key bridge closure disrupted trucking routes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
7 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
China fried chicken, burger franchise AllAce going places in Malaysia – 65 outlets and counting
THE rise and rise of Chinese fast-food brands and cafes which are seemingly sprouting up overnight like wild mushrooms has certainly caught the eye of many. The latest to make inroads into Malaysia is AllAce Burger & Chicken (formerly Wallace). In just a short space of time, the franchise has opened 65 outlets across Malaysia. Allace (dulu Wallace) ni aku panggil Mixue version ayam goreng haha. Murah. Business model yg brilliant. Execution pun laju. Dalam 18 bulan, AllAce ni dah bukak 65 outlets kat Malaysia 🤯 Ini cerita AllAce: — Umar (@umarmaggi) June 4, 2025 The chain's rapid expansion grabbed the attention of digital creator Umar (@umarmaggi) who exclaimed on X that it had a brilliant business model. The co-founder of Mokky's Pizza further exclaimed that the affordability of its items has fuelled its fast growth. The poster started by giving a brief over view of the company by highlighting that the business which was founded by the Hua siblings in 2000 has over 20,000 outlets in China. Towards end-2023, the company– then known as Wallace – established its first outlet outside China in Bandar Sungai Long, Selangor. This was quickly followed with another outlet in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. In just 18 months, the chain now operates 65 outlets with a re-branding exercise to better chime with the local market. Already, 15 outlets have been certified halal with the rest underway. Displaying solid operational backend, the brand opened 25 more outlets in April of this year alone. This is when the poster went on to highlight the business model which was different from other brands. Key to the model's success was giving staff a share in the business which ensures better employee performance. Such business model which departed from the norm of relying on bank borrowings has enabled AllAce to scale faster than its competitors though the poster is unsure if the same model is applied in Malaysia. The super lowball pricing was also highlighted as a reason for its success – RM19 for a whole fried chicken was astounding value. Though the price is now RM25, it is very affordable, according to Umar. This allowed the brand to position itself as a 'budget-friendly sharing meal brand'. Assuming each outlet brought in RM90,000 in profits a month, this works out to be close to RM6 mil/month from all its outlets! Undeniably, the key to AllAce successfully penetrating the Malaysian market was obtaining halal certification which will allow it to market to a much larger demographic. Fast, focused, frugal and scalable – those were the main factors behind their rapid expansion. Of course, there were plenty of comments on the taste of AllAce products but suffice to say, most were down to individual preferences. It does not detract from the fact the brand has managed to conquer a large slice of the fast food landscape in just a short space of time. Perhaps local franchises such as DarSa Fried Chicken can learn a thing or two from it. Not with regard to taste but to business models and operational know-how. If local companies don't buck up, they are liable to be swallowed up wholesale by these fast-growing brands. Time to toughen up and face the competition. – June 6, 2025
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Reinstate direct Kuching-Pontianak flight to revive tourism, trade, S'wak activist tells govt
Peter (front) in a group photo with the Sarawak delegation in West Kalimantan. MIRI (June 6): Social activist Peter John Jaban has called on the government to urgently reinstate the direct flight between Kuching and Pontianak, emphasising that improved air connectivity is crucial to facilitate cross-border travel and strengthen ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan. He raised the issue following a recent overland trip to West Kalimantan, which he led alongside a delegation of 50 Sarawakian business leaders. While the mission was successful, the group faced nearly four hours of delays at Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) checkpoints due to long queues and complicated paperwork. 'This journey underscored the urgent need for a direct flight. The land route simply cannot substitute for air travel in terms of speed, comfort, and efficiency. 'A direct connection is vital, not only for convenience but for maintaining bilateral ties,' he said in a statement. Peter expressed hope that both Indonesian and Malaysian authorities would prioritise and expedite the reinstatement of the Kuching-Pontianak air service, which has been suspended since March 2024. He pointed out that communities on both sides of the border have been adversely affected, as the suspension impacts livelihoods directly. 'This is not just a flight route, it is a lifeline. Its suspension has disrupted cross-border tourism, hindered medical and educational travel, and slowed down vital cultural and economic exchanges that have long flourished between our people,' he said. Before the flight suspension, thousands of travellers relied on the direct connection each month. Peter said without it, passengers are forced to transit through Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur, resulting in longer, more costly, and physically exhausting journeys, especially for those seeking medical care in Sarawak. 'Quick access via air is not a luxury; it is a necessity,' he stressed, citing Sarawak's rising status as a medical tourism hub, particularly for Indonesian patients seeking affordable, quality treatment. He also argued that reinstating the flight is critical for small businesses, local tour operators, and the hospitality sector as the region strives to recover from economic challenges. Furthermore, Peter highlighted that restoring this air link would support broader regional integration under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) framework, serving as a vital bridge for cross-border development. In this regard, he also urged AirAsia and other airlines to demonstrate their commitment to regional growth and connectivity. 'This is not merely a logistical issue, it is a matter of fairness, development, and cooperation. 'The people of Kalimantan and Sarawak deserve better connectivity and the opportunity to thrive together,' said Peter. direct flight kalimantan Kuching Peter John Jaban
Daily Express
16 hours ago
- Daily Express
Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce Sabah backs call for stamp duty review on employment contracts
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 Text Size: Dr Tan also urged the Government to grant full exemption for MSMEs, especially in Sabah where the business ecosystem is still developing. Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah has voiced full support to the recent call by the Sabah Association of Professional Accountants (Sapa) to review the blanket implementation of mandatory stamp duty on all employment contracts under the Stamp Act 1949. MCCC Sabah Deputy President Dr Callee Tan, said while the Chamber recognises the Government's efforts to improve tax compliance and national revenue, the current approach could place an undue burden on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in Sabah. Advertisement 'Many local businesses here are small-scale with limited resources. Without considering factors such as business size, industry and region, this policy risks hurting the very enterprises we need for economic recovery,' she said in a statement, on Thursday. MCCC Sabah proposed that employment contracts for positions with monthly salaries below RM6,000 be exempted from stamp duty to reduce the financial pressure on small businesses and encourage formal employment practices. Dr Tan also urged the Government to grant full exemption for MSMEs, especially in Sabah where the business ecosystem is still developing. 'To maintain compliance and safeguard local employment, these enterprises need supportive and realistic policy measures,' she said. She further recommended deferring enforcement of the ruling until further notice, with comprehensive outreach programmes to help businesses understand and prepare for compliance. 'As a key representative of the business community, we are concerned that this policy, if not properly reviewed, may discourage the use of formal contracts, potentially exposing workers to informal and vulnerable employment arrangements.' MCCC Sabah urged the Ministry of Finance and Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to engage with industry stakeholders, particularly in less-developed regions, to ensure policies reflect fairness, feasibility and local context. 'Only with balanced and inclusive policy making can we ensure long-term national growth and social well-being,' said Dr Tan. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
