JAKARTA - AirAsia has denied reports claiming that Philippines AirAsia flights are being grounded, saying the carrier’s Z2 services remain fully operational across its network.

In a statement issued on 4 June, AirAsia said the reports were “entirely false” and did not reflect the airline’s business or operations. The company said all Philippines AirAsia flights and services were continuing as scheduled, subject only to normal operational factors such as weather and other standard airline conditions.

The statement comes amid concerns over the future of competition in the Philippine aviation market, where low-cost carriers play a major role in keeping air travel accessible for workers, families, tourists and small businesses moving between islands and across the region.

AirAsia said the reports formed part of what it described as a “coordinated and sensationalised” campaign aimed at weakening fair competition in the Philippine aviation sector. The company warned that narratives undermining competition could ultimately harm passengers by reducing choice and creating conditions for a more concentrated market.

“For travellers, it often results in reduced competition, fewer choices and significantly higher airfares,” the company said.

Tony Fernandes, Co-founder and Advisor of AirAsia Group, said the airline remained committed to affordable travel in the Philippines, where AirAsia says it carries almost seven million passengers annually.

“AirAsia has long championed affordable travel and will continue to stand firmly against any development that harms consumers or restricts access to air connectivity,” Fernandes said. He added that the company’s commitment to the Philippines was “absolute.”

AirAsia, however, did not identify the reports it was responding to, nor did it name any outlet, competitor, regulator or industry source as the origin of the grounding claim. The company referred only to “recent media reports” and described them as part of a coordinated campaign against competition in the Philippine aviation market.