Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. on Monday denied having acquired a majority stake in budget carrier AirAsia Philippines, the country’s third largest airline.
“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.
Reports surfaced on Monday that AEV controls AA Com Travel Philippines Inc., the company that ostensibly bought a 60 percent stake in AirAsia Philippines in June. Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes through AirAsia Investments Ltd., later AirAsia Aviation Limited, owns 40 percent of the airline.
“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,” the report said.
But AEV said: “We want to assure our stakeholders and the public that any significant developments regarding our company will be communicated and disclosed first by us through official channels. We appreciate your patience as we work to clarify the matter.”
As of November, AirAsia operates a fleet of 15 aircraft, all of which are Airbus 3A320-200 that can accommodate 180 passengers.
