Strewth
You do realise that if Cathay Pacific tried to set up an international airline in Australia they would be blocked by the Australian government because of the requirement for 51% ownership by Australians. Hong Kong has the same 51% ownership rule. Hong Kong isn’t China and China Eastern’s partnership doesn’t count as Hong Kong ownership period and Shun Tak Holding is only a minority shareholding. Unless Qantas changes the structure of their proposed "franchise" they, I’m afraid are in for a hiding to nowhere. A shelf company majority owned by foreign companies just won’t cut it. They are going to find out the hard way though how business is conducted in this city.
You also seem to have a very short memory because it was only a few short years ago that Singapore Airlines wanted to operate 5th freedom flights from Australia to the USA. Qantas were squawking like stuffed pigs and lobbied the Federal Government to block them.
Regarding the directors of John Swire & Sons (HK) Ltd, you do realise that it is a very common practice for directors of a company to be directors of multiple companies. Sh*t, most of QF’s board of directors are directors of multiple companies. Swire Pacific, not John Swire & Sons (HK) Ltd is the largest shareholder in CX. Swire Pacific which is a publically listed company on the HKSE is 44% owned by John Swire & Sons Ltd with the majority of shareholders being local Hong Kong investors.
To say the Hong Kong SAR Government is pissed off with Qantas would be an understatement. You don’t get things done in this town without including the government in your planning. To ambush the government with megaphone tactics, i.e. mass media releases before even discussing your plans with them was a major, major foe par.
Swire Fast Facts 2012