I would think the A346 will remain on the HKG / SYD route for a while yet. Most of them are still on leases with a number of years to run, and as the lease companies do not want them back the early return charges would be high. The B787's are to replace the A343's and B747's along with any possible expansion initially. Whatever is ordered next (A350, more B789 or B77X) will be the main A346 replacement.
The article says SRB "trousered" the Delta cash.....wouldn't that have gone to SQ to buy out their 49%?