SkyPier connections at HKG means many other cities in the Pearl River Delta / Greater Bay Area can also take advantage of CX flights easily, especially the CX flights that depart at around midnight and arrive in early morning, a big chunk of long-haul flights.

Another concern I have is whether Chinese people are willing to transit in the US, especially for those aiming for more business in Latin America.

Firstly you need a US visa since there is simply no airside transit in the US. Secondly you need to entry into the US before departing for Latin America.

Currently the refusal rate of US tourism visa (B1/B2) for Chinese passport holders is as high as 25%. Even you have a US visa, you also have the risk of being arrested by the FBI. Don't forget that. the "Huawei Princess", the CFO of Huawei, Meng Wanzhou, got arrested in Canada when she took CX HKG-YVR to transit to Mexico.

A major, valid point and a good reason for Cathay to think about fifth freedom options in Mexico (airlines can currently just about reach Tijuana and Monterrey from Shenzhen, and Mexico City on one leg of the RT) or even Vancouver toward LatAm. Even HK passport holders require a US visa when they don't in many other countries like Canada.

On the Central Asian front, Kazakh officials are meeting with HK airlines (including CX) about developing routes to Astana and Almaty:

https://en.trend.az/business/4037546.html

Hong Kong Airlines seems the most interested though based on the article. It mentions "fifth freedom" route development to Kazakhstan but no more details - via the mainland perhaps? Or maybe both Kazakh cities would be served via a triangular route?

How about CX's codeshares with LA in NZ and AU and with IB in Madrid? There is no airline for CX to partner with in Mexico.

[edit]

CX may codeshare with AC to some Mexican routes in YVR. It can also launch Lisbon for 2 to 3 weekly and codeshare with TAP on some Latin America routes. There are talks about having no flights between Macau and Portugal, so if Portugal is willing to offer some subsidies, then CX may bring willing to launch such route.

Wonder whether the route is to be subsidized on the Kazak front such that HX appears to be so "eager" or it is mere bluff.

delete

This reminds me of this news
BA-owner IAG tipped as frontrunner in TAP sale as Europe airline consolidation warms up | Reuters

If IAG brings in TAP, CX could definitely take advantage of the BRICS countries. Close connection between Portugal and Brazil could also guarantee seat occupancy rate.

Right now, HX is downsizing its fleet. I wonder even if they have interested to the route, they can have enough planes to fly.
For CX, they have a code share with Air Astana.

Again, YVR is not a reliable transit point for Chinese nationals. Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was arrested during her transit at YVR due to extradiction request by the US government.

This looks a lot more interesting and realistic. CX can send a regional 330 and fly similar time as URC.

For US, isn’t getting DFW to daily the top priority? DFW is so effective covering the southeast US, MIA, MCO, CLT and the whole Latam. I don’t see much point of adding MIA if CX can up DFW to daily or 9/10 weekly.

Getting DFW in full swing is also the most crucial part to capture the China - Latam traffic. Most of these business interests are concentrated in MEX, MTY and GRU, not very spread out. Right now CX’s transit option at LAX to MEX is horrible given AA’s weak presence, really calling for more DFW. A direct flight from HKG to MEX / MTY will go h2h competition with ICN transit options for Chinese, may not be the best business decision when capacity is not growing!

IB then.......

Disregarding the unfriendly visa issue from the US, CX can potentially codeshare with Alaska in LA too.

CX has a long history of collaborations with members of the Star Alliance, see CA, AC, NZ, LH group etc. In some cases, such collaborrations are more extensive than the ones in OW. A collaboration need not depend on the successful acquisition by IAG.

Not sure if flying with A320 ceo is viable. It is according to brochure range, but may have payload restrictions.

Mexico maybe but DFW is terrible for deep south LATAM. Nothing to GIG, SCL or EZE. GRU is below MCT on the way there and a 6am to 11pm layover on the way back. You need MIA for good connections both ways. Even JFK is better with multiple dailies.

Also, AA is pretty terrible. I would much rather connect onto LATAM or for domestic, AS.