Another wound. While I appreciate that there is an undertone of politics, I believe that vested interests have been waiting for an opportunity to disrupt CX and damage the carrier 's positive position in the market. It has been a long time coming. The mainland carriers couldn't compete on the basis of service, quality, reliability, personnel nor come remotely close to the dynamic attraction of Hong Kong as a hub, and so their allies in the mainland military/political/industrial conglomerate waited for an opportune time to clip the wings of Cathay.
Oh sure, some will say, that any financial loss would hurt Air China and other mainland investors, but that impact is nothing when offset by the gains to other other holdings.The mainland interests are playing the long game and are moving with discipline and patience.