The fact that CX are reacting sympathetically to Government (HKG) concerns at the possible loss of face for HKG if the decision has to go to Beijing is completely understandable. The fact is that Dragon initiated the 'no public hearing' debate and CX then and still would be happy with a public debate. Yes it was a joint decision to delay the ATLA hearing but my previous point remains valid. why did Dragon not want a public hearing? I doubt your assertion that Beijing will look favourably on Dragon because SWIRE have no sway there, the reverse could well be true. As you rightly pointed out ATLA will in all probability rule in favour of competition and therefore CX. Then it will come down to whether the Chinese Mainland Government would be happy to embarass the HKG Executive by ruling differently. I suggest to you that Dragon have by far the most to lose here, we will see what we will see. It couldn't be that CX is happy to take the codeshare now because they are not really ready for the larger than expected expansion that China would require for them? But in a year or two..... By the way no need to be rude, I could read a lot of biased mis-informed logic in your post also but wouldn't have been so crass as to mention it if you hadn't first shown your lack of manners.