PETALING JAYA: AirAsia X Bhd (AirAsia Group) has denied recent media reports claiming that the operations of its airline, Philippines AirAsia (flight code Z2) are being grounded.
In a statement, the airline said the reports are entirely false and do not reflect the reality of the business or operations of the carrier.
The group said all Z2 flights remain fully operational, with flights and services continuing as scheduled across its network, subject to normal operational considerations such as weather and other standard factors affecting airline operations.
To recap, the Philippine media recently reported that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) had issued a cease-and-desist order to the airline to halt operations at its airports over an outstanding bill of RM17.42 million (270 million pesos).
According to media reports, CAAP records show AirAsia had accumulated the fees in air navigation, landing, parking and passenger service charges from 2021 to May 2026, excluding pending penalties and interest.
AirAsia Group said it views these coordinated and sensationalised reports as part of a deliberate smear campaign that has long been occurring aimed at undermining fair competition in the Philippine aviation sector.
It said such narratives serve only the interests of those seeking to limit consumer choice and create conditions that could lead to a monopoly in the market.
“A monopoly benefits no one except dominant market players,“ it said.
For travellers, it often results in reduced competition, fewer choices and significantly higher airfares.
AirAsia Group co-founder and adviser Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said AirAsia has long championed affordable travel and will continue to stand firmly against any development that harms consumers or restricts access to air connectivity.
“AirAsia carries almost seven million guests in the Philippines annually and our commitment to the Philippines is absolute.
“We are deeply invested in the country, its people and its future. For over a decade, we have played a key role in democratising air travel, making flying affordable, fun and accessible to millions of Filipinos who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to travel by air.
“We have taken out charges that people don’t want and made travel more flexible by offering ancillary options.
“Looking ahead, we are incredibly invested in the development of new airport infrastructure across the country, including in Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which will unlock greater opportunities for growth, improve connectivity, enhance operational efficiency and enable us to lower costs even further.
“As we expand our fleet and aircraft order book to become the first narrowbody global low-cost network carrier, we intend to deploy more aircraft into our operations in the Philippines. These developments will allow Philippines AirAsia to expand our network, offer even more competitive fares and continue delivering greater value to Filipino travellers,” he said.
Philippines AirAsia remains committed to serving the public, supporting tourism and economic growth, and ensuring that every Filipino continues to have access to safe, affordable and reliable air travel, the statement added.
