Cebu Pacific Wins Case Against Travel Booking Platform In Malaysian Court

By Mikael Borres

In July 7, 2026, a Malaysian court ordered a travel booking platform to stop selling unauthorized Cebu Pacific airline tickets.

The court ordered a travel booking platform to stop selling unauthorized airline tickets.

The High Court of Malaya at Kuala Lumpur ordered MOVE Travel Sdn Bhd (“MOVE”), the operator of travel booking platform AirAsia MOVE, to stop selling Cebu Pacific and CebGo flight tickets without the airline’s authorization.

The Philippine budget air carrier publicized its legal win in a press release submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2026.

Cebu Pacific first filed legal action against MOVE in June 2024 for passing off (when a business makes its branding or products look so similar to another business that consumers may think they are engaging with the original business).

Business Tip

Run a trademark and brand clearance search before adopting a name, logo, or business model that closely echoes an existing company’s branding. If your business involves reselling or bundling another company’s products or services, secure a written authorization or partnership agreement first. (From IPOPHL).

The budget air carrier sought to restrain the travel booking platform from using the Cebu Pacific and CebGo trademarks and selling the Cebu Pacific and CebGo flight tickets without the airline’s authorization.

The High Court ordered the operator to pay RM120,000 (around P1.8 million) in costs to the airline.

The legal body also awarded damages to Cebu Pacific. The airline stated in its press release that the amount of the award shall be assessed in separate proceedings.

“Cebu Pacific remains supportive of travel platforms and partners that use the CEBU PACIFIC and CEBGO trademarks and distribute, offer to sell or sell airline tickets bearing the CEBU PACIFIC and CEBGO trademarks, provided that they do so with Cebu Pacific’s proper authorization,” the airline said.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the High Court of Malaya rule in Cebu Pacific’s case against AirAsia MOVE?

The court found MOVE Travel Sdn Bhd liable for passing off and ordered it to stop selling unauthorized Cebu Pacific and CebGo tickets.

What is “passing off” in this lawsuit?

Passing off is when a business’s branding looks so similar to another’s that consumers may mistake it for the original company.

How much did MOVE Travel have to pay Cebu Pacific?

MOVE Travel was ordered to pay RM120,000 (about P1.8 million) in costs; separate damages will be assessed later.

When did Cebu Pacific first file the case?

Cebu Pacific filed legal action against MOVE Travel in June 2024 over unauthorized use of its trademarks and tickets.

Does Cebu Pacific oppose all third-party ticket platforms?

No. Cebu Pacific supports platforms that sell its tickets with proper authorization from the airline.

Mikael Borres

Writer

Mikael Borres is a writer for The Business Manual, authoring articles about Philippine small businesses, economics and finance. His work with the publication has a strong focus on uplifting Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with fundamental business lessons and leadership insights.

Mikael has written pieces on evolving business trends and technology, as well as articles on branding and human resources. He also writes people-centred feature articles highlighting the work and stories of Filipino entrepreneurs and executives. He also covers events for the The Business Manual, highlighting developments in the Philippine business scene.

Mikael graduated from the University of San Carlos with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, majoring in International Relations and Foreign Service (IRFS).

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