11 AUG: There’s renewed speculation today about the prospect of Jetstar setting up a base in Hong Kong.
The carrier last week wouldn’t confirm reports from Hong Kong that it plans to launch a budget offshoot there.
But Fairfax media claims today that it’s considering shifting some Melbourne-based senior management to Hong Kong to "ramp up" north Asia expansion.
The report says Jetstar initially will look at basing several A320 planes there, giving it the ability to reach most parts of Asia with flights no longer than five hours.
It’s understood that group ceo Bruce Buchanan would move to Asia, the report says.
Jetstar has not confirmed the report, which appears based on information from unidentified sources.
A spokeswoman told Fairfax that it will always be an Australia-based airline and does not have plans to move its head office as "we have management based in Asia".
