LISTED company Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) on Monday, July 3, 2023, denied that it bought a majority stake in the low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines and that developments such as this will be properly disclosed first by them through official channels.
“We would like to clarify and state that this information is not true and accurate. At this time, we are actively verifying the sources that led to the publication of this article and have requested that the article be taken down,” AEV said in a statement.
The Philippine Star on Monday reported that the Aboitiz Group controls AA Com Travel Philippines Inc., the firm that bought a 60 percent stake in AirAsia Philippines in June, according to multiple sources.
The report added that an industry source said the Aboitiz Group made the buyout in support of its proposal to rehabilitate and upgrade the airports in Albay and Bohol.
AirAsia Philippines in a separate statement denied the report.
“It has come to our attention that a leading news organization published an article today stating AirAsia Philippines is now majority owned by the Aboitiz Group. We hope to clarify that this statement is not true and accurate,” the AirAsia said.
But the Malaysia headquartered firm said Capital A companies, including AirAsia, are “fostering strong relationships with the Aboitiz Group and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.”
“We remain committed to engaging in fruitful discussions with various stakeholders who share our vision of democratizing air travel in the Association of Southeast Nations,” the airline said.
Capital A Capital A Berhad of Malaysia is formerly AirAsia Group. (KOC)