Could newly commissioned Ark Royal be sent east?

Would the newly commissioned HMS Ark Royal be sent east with the reinforced fleet?

Probably. Ark Royal had only just commissioned and was not yet deeply integrated into the Home Fleet, making a direct eastward assignment plausible.

Ark Royal had only just commissioned and was not yet deeply embedded in the Home Fleet setup. That makes a direct assignment to the Far East plausible in this counterfactual. It is a likely choice within the scenario, with no documented historical plan claimed. Her recent commissioning and organisational attachment matter alongside the simple fact that the carrier is available.