Originally Posted by
Dick Smith
..Why would China Southern keep everyone on the payroll for nearly 12 months?
All very strange.
The payroll for that aspect of the operation is a pittance compared with the overall training budget. Possession is 9/10ths of the law, I'm sure they'll do whatever it takes to maintain their end of the deal with regards to Merredin. They'd be happy to keep Merredin as a fall-back option for the next 70 years of the lease, even if they didn't turn a propeller. They take a strategic view to their business outcomes, not just a near-sighted economic view. They also know Governments change here over a relatively short period, and they might find a more sympathetic Government at the next election. We won't get into foreign governments making back-door donations to political parties without seeking favors in return.