Thought Sutch was heading up a new airline in Europe, buying up a few small airlines... maybe those are his personal reasons ?
Regarding the Chinese element. There are several senior Chinese managers now. But I think more importantly, need to remember that CX now has huge (can't recall %) ownership share from mainland China.
I heard they were massively pissed off that this dispute had escalated, and that it was indeed they who ordered CX management to take a hard line and put a swift end to this non-communist style uprising.
I think that these political elements are most important part of this dispute, and Swires are under massive pressure to manage the outfit in a manner suitable to Beijing.
Me thinks that if this dispute carries on a bit more, that Swires might be forced out of CX, and then who nows what Beijing will do.
Certainly, an end to CX as we know it, is a definite possibility...
Whilst acting in the correct, diligent manner, I wonder whether CX pilots realise the true ramifications of this dispute...
CX might become just like Air China...
However, must say best of luck to CX crew. Hang in there, and act together.
Z.