DOTr probes AirAsia MOVE for alleged economic sabotage over high fares

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is considering filing economic sabotage charges against AirAsia MOVE, an online travel agency (OTA) of AirAsia group, for allegedly setting unreasonably high flight prices.

Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon ordered an investigation into complaints of fares as high as P39,000 one-way to and from Tacloban.

The DOTr is also coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the PNP Cybercrime division to block access to AirAsia MOVE's website and Philippine mobile application.

A complaint was initiated by Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez, who reported being charged P77,704 for two one-way tickets from Tacloban to Manila via AirAsia MOVE, significantly higher than direct bookings with Philippine Airlines.

Secretary Dizon stated that such pricing is "absurd" and a "criminal act," noting the stark difference compared to other online ticket prices for the same dates.

AirAsia MOVE's CEO previously attributed discrepancies to temporary data synchronization issues with flight pricing partners and denied manipulating airfares.