QR and BA both have an additional R class while JL has an additional X class. I think it's fair that CX wants to add another class if this can give more fare options to maximise revenue and profit.

at least CX is not going down the route of dynamic pricing subclasses yet!
where an I class fare can be pegged on availability of inventory in Economy and it is not transparent to the public

i think they havent grasp the magnitude of problem they are in, if all they care about is how dynamic pricing of P class, one of 5 subclasses, dependent on econony they cant even fill

My travel agent told me today they are not allowed to sell P class.

Which country is your agent located in? It seems CX is rolling it out to selected market for now. It has also not been rolled out in Taiwan yet.

Staff business class ticket is P class

This used to be the case, but now P class is placed before I class. With new fares gradually introduced, I believe staff and AD75 travel will be moved to another class in the future, perhaps U.

then what will award business inventory be booked in?

Probably still U class. Right now, T class is used for both award booking and AD75 as well.

Is this a sign of what Cathay is doing with P class?

In the JL program, When flying CX, JCDP still earn “full” mileage, but I class earns 70% now.

Is I class going to become the unbundled business fare?

Just came across P class while searching for flights, couldn't find it anything on BA Avios calculator (Business shows J,C,D,I only), went to find a clue on BA forum on flyertalk and ended up here.

I know this is CX forum but any idea as to how much BA Tier Points P class will earn?

Edit: Found something on BA forum, albeit still haven't found the answer...

P class fare has just been introduced ex-Taiwan, eff. for dep. 10AUG or after.

No one knows until BA announces it...