With the recent reshuffling of Qantas’ non-core business, such as freight, loyalty program, and Qantas Holidays, the carrier has been quite clear that it is looking for new ways to do business.

And now it appears that one of the new steps could be to acquire Jetset Travelworld in order to bulk up its holidays arm, if the new uncited report in the AFR is to be believed.

This new step towards further consolidating the aviation market may come across a stumbling block in the form of the company’s worth, with Jetset shares recently leaping to record highs of AUD3.43 last week.

Valued at a market price of around AUD290 million, the travel business doesn’t come without a hefty price tag. Even though recent trading has seen the entity valued at AUD3.15 per share, it is still significantly higher than its 21 cents a share prices when Alysandratos gained control in 2002.

The travel sector has appreciated on a whole recently due to high demands for travel product coupled with strong prices, aircraft shortages, and the high Aussie dollar.

Earlier in the month, The Australian had also printed rumours of a with a partnership deal near to closing, by a retail travel outlet and Qantas, in a move made by the national carrier to set up a physical shop-front presence.

The unnamed listed business was tipped to be either Flight Centre or Jetset, with Jetset as the more likely option, due to Flight Centre’s fluctuating state, and Jetset’s then attractive AUD2.88 share price.

It was, and still is, uncertain if Qantas will make a complete takeover bid or settle for buying a strategic stake.

Due to a wish for a physical presence, the national carrier is not interested in online travel agents, and hasn’t spared the recent Travel.com.au bidding war a second glance.

Jetset Travelworld operates the largest franchise of travel agents in Australia, with more than 600 agencies trading under the Jetset and Travelworld brands, and was launched onto the ASX in 200 at 16 cents per share. - Source: e-TravelBlackboard.com Press