Philippines – The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) of the Philippines has issued an immediate cease and desist order to AirAsia MOVE due to its unauthorised sale of airline tickets that violate fare regulations.
Dated May 26, 2025, CAB’s order called out AirAsia MOVE for selling airline tickets at prices that exceed its approved fare structures for carriers in the Philippines. The order was addressed to Rowena Rivera, head of travel at AirAsia MOVE.
“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to cease and desist from offering, promoting, or selling tickets of other Philippine carriers at prices that exceed the approved fare structures established by the CAB,” the order read.
Following the cease and desist order, AirAsia MOVE is required to provide written confirmation of compliance within three days of receiving the notice.
CAB warns that failure to comply with the cease and desist order may lead to further regulatory action, including fines or legal proceedings, as permitted under applicable laws and regulations.
In a press conference on June 2, Vince Dizon, the Department of Transportation secretary, said that they are expediting the process to file a criminal complaint for economic sabotage against AirAsia MOVE.
The issuance follows reports of overpriced tickets from Manila to Tacloban amidst the San Juanico Bridge needing construction, impacting travel. The cost of a one-way ticket has soared to almost Php 40,000 (US$716). The bridge, linking Tacloban in Leyte to Samar, has been subjected to restrictions due to structural vulnerabilities.
In response to the issue, AirAsia MOVE clarifies that it is not manually manipulating its airfares, stating that the issues in fares were caused by temporary data synchronisation problems with its flight pricing partners.
In a media statement, MOVE CEO Nadia Omer also pointed out that the issue also affected other booking platforms since it was caused by a third-party pricing provider. AirAsia MOVE also assured the public that it is cooperating with the Philippine government to uphold fair pricing and consumer protection.
“MOVE has been working closely with relevant authorities and is fully compliant with all regulatory requirements applicable to Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) operating in the Philippines,” the statement read.
On May 29, the Tacloban City council declared a state of emergency due to its limited access to goods and medical supplies following the San Juanico Bridge crisis. The bridge was immediately closed on May 15 for vehicles heavier than three tons due to safety concerns. The Department of Public Works and Highways reported that three segments of the bridge are unsafe, requiring major repairs.
