The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) is gearing up to file a criminal economic sabotage case against AirAsia Move, the online travel booking platform tied to the AirAsia brand. The issue: allegedly inflated ticket prices for flights to and from Tacloban amid the ongoing crisis involving the San Juanico Bridge.
Unacceptable Prices Prompt Government Action
During a June 2 press briefing, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that he ordered both the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and the DOTr aviation group to “immediately” initiate legal action against AirAsia Move. A criminal complaint is expected to be filed within the week.
“This is totally unacceptable,” Dizon said. “Makakalipad ka na ng West Coast ng America nang ganito kamahal ang ticket. This is absurd—actually criminal.”
Dizon clarified that AirAsia the airline is not the target of the case. The focus is solely on the AirAsia Move platform.
Trigger: ₱77,704 for a One-Way Ticket
The case originated from a complaint filed by Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez and Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez. The couple reportedly paid ₱77,704 via AirAsia Move for two one-way PAL tickets from Tacloban to Manila, or nearly ₱40,000 per person.
By contrast, DOTr found that the same flight cost ₱49,507 on the Philippine Airlines website, and in many cases, similar one-way fares were only ₱12,000.
“This is price gouging. AirAsia Move is charging triple the actual fare,” said Dizon.
A cease and desist order was already issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board on May 26, halting the platform’s operations in the country pending investigation.
Exploiting a Region in Crisis
Dizon highlighted the exploitative nature of the alleged overpricing, especially since Tacloban and Eastern Visayas are currently facing travel disruptions due to the partial closure of the San Juanico Bridge to heavy vehicles, trucks, and buses over structural concerns.
“They know there’s a crisis and limited mobility in the region, and they’re still jacking up prices,” Dizon said. “We will not allow this—especially not during a crisis.”
Dizon also asked the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to shut down the AirAsia Move website, stressing that many unsuspecting travelers could still fall victim to the scheme.
Broader Investigation on Travel Platforms Underway
The DOTr isn't stopping at AirAsia Move. Secretary Dizon also directed the CAB to audit and investigate other online travel booking platforms for potential overpricing or similar abuses—not just in Tacloban but across other major destinations in the Philippines.
“We’re seeing signs this isn’t an isolated incident,” he warned. “Other platforms could be profiting unethically from public emergencies.”
Who Owns AirAsia Move?
AirAsia Move is owned by Capital A Berhad, a Malaysian investment holding company formerly known as AirAsia Group Berhad. Capital A manages the group’s digital, aviation, logistics, and financial services under various arms.
AirAsia Move is operated by MOVE Digital, the digital and lifestyle division of Capital A. The platform was formerly known as the AirAsia Super App, and it promotes itself as the “ultimate travel app” offering flight bookings from over 700 airlines, 900,000 hotels, ride-hailing, insurance, dining, shopping, and more.
As of October 2023, Nadia Omer serves as the Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Move.
While it shares branding with AirAsia the airline, AirAsia Move runs as a separate entity, which is why the airline is not included in the criminal case filed by the DOTr.
What This Means for Travelers
This case sends a strong signal: the Philippine government is cracking down on digital platforms that exploit travelers, especially in disaster-affected areas. If successful, it could set a legal precedent and reshape how online travel agencies price their services in the country.
Passengers are advised to always double-check prices directly on airline websites and watch out for unusually high fares or unclear booking fees on third-party platforms.