KUALA LUMPUR: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has confirmed that AirAsia Philippines has paid over PHP270mil (RM17.42mil) in outstanding fees ahead of a June 6, 2026 deadline, according to news reports.

According to the reports, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said AirAsia representatives paid the amount Thursday morning. 

This outstanding balance includes unpaid landing and takeoff fees, parking fees, and other airport-related fees. 

Philippine news outlets reported yesterday 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 PHP270mil (RM17.42mil).

However, AirAsia denied claims its flights were being grounded, calling the media reports "coordinated and sensationalised" and part of a "deliberate smear campaign".

The airline group said the smear campaign had long been occurring in an attempt to undermine fair competition in the Philippine aviation sector.

"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. For travellers, it often results in reduced competition, fewer choices and significantly higher airfares," it said in a statement issued earlier today.

"All Z2 (AirAsia Philippines) 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."