Jetstar faces branding challenge in Vietnam

Jetstar Pacific may be forced to rebrand after the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) raised objection to the use of the ‘Jetstar’ name.

According to Vietnamese media reports, the CAAV and Ministry of Transport have told the airline that its use of the Jetstar name was against its local aviation law, particularly as it is the name of a foreign carrier. A Jetstar spokesman said that the airline is working with the Vietnamese government to resolve the issue, which could potentially derail Jestar’s plans to involve Jetstar Pacific in its pan Asian strategy.

Reports have also confirmed that Jetstar Pacific CEO Luong Hoai Nam has resigned from the carrier, and has been replaced in the interim by Le Song Lai, the carrier’s chairman.

Jetstar Pacific, formerly Pacific Airlines, is 27 per cent owned by Qantas, with the remainder owned by the State Capital Investment Corporation and Saigon Tourist Corporation. The carrier operates a fleet of five Boeing 737-400s and one A320 on domestic routes.