ABC News
Jetstar defends pilots over 'near miss'
Jetstar chief executive Alan Joyce says the pilots involved in an alleged near miss "did the right thing".
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has asked for reports from Jetstar and its parent company Qantas into the incident on the weekend.
Passengers have told the media that a Jetstar pilot was forced to change direction suddenly soon after take-off from Hamilton Island in north Queensland on Saturday to avoid a nearby Qantas plane.
They said the Qantas aircraft was heading straight for the Jetstar plane.
Mr Joyce said the planes were under the direction of the Hamilton Island air control tower.
"The Jetstar aircraft was taking off, Qantas aircraft was coming in to land...the pilots...did the right thing to maintain separation at all times," he said.
"It's now under review by the ATSB, we've given all the data information to them and they're having a look at the incident...there'll be more information when that review is completed."
Michael Sharpe from Qantas says the company is cooperating fully with the ATSB.
"We'll be supplying all of the information which includes tapes, and I've heard they've got video," he said.
"They might even have video footage from the tower.
"All that information will be looked at and if there's anything that requires investigation, you can be sure because it's an independent body, the Air Transport Safety Bureau will investigate it."
Air safety investigators have refused to comment on the alleged incident until they receive reports from the airlines involved.
The ATSB has also asked Air Services Australia (ASA) for a full report.
ATSB spokesman Alan Stray says it will wait to hear from cabin crew and the ASA before deciding whether an investigation is warranted.
Qantas and Jetstar have 72 hours from the time of the incident to file their reports.
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