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The Philippines has ordered AirAsia is digital platform to stop selling airline tickets in the country following complaints that it charged illegally high fares. 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 June 2.
The aviation agency, which sets price ceilings for airfares in the country, says the company hiked its prices following transportation troubles in Tacloban City due to the closure of a key bridge to trucks.
“We will really put the full force of the law on these unscrupulous online platforms that are taking advantage of our people,” Mr Dizon said.
The authorities will move to immediately file a case for “criminal economic sabotage” against the digital platform, which is owned by Capital A Berhad, he added.
Malaysia-based AirAsia Move, which is an affiliate of budget carrier Philippines AirAsia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
During the weekend, AirAsia Move charged 77,000 pesos (S$1,800) for a one-way ticket from Manila to Tacloban City via Philippine Airlines, three times the price quoted when directly booking on the flag carrier’s website, Transportation Ministry data shows.
Authorities plan to promptly file a case for “criminal economic sabotage” against the digital platform, which is owned by Malaysia-based Capital A Berhad, he further noted.
“Clearly, this is just absurd,” Dizon stated at the briefing. “What AirAsia Move is doing is criminal.”
