Taipei, Bangkok and now Tokyo. Three long haul routes served by Cathay....and there's more coming! Maybe the reason Dragonair ropped the appeal against Cathay's re-entry into the China market is because it is going to look at other destinations - particularly long-haul for their new A330s to fly to.
And maybe the reason why the Dragonair board meetings are so caustic is because of the Swire presence!
As for the 43% owned by CNAC? Lets not forget the large holding by CITIC which means over 70% is owned directly or indirectly by Beijing - wheras Swire Pacific is still obstensively British and is still viewed as a gweilo company.
If I was to bet on the long term futures of the two, my money will be on the Chinese company. It's still the year of the Dragon!
Kung hei fat choi.