It is widely known that CX did pop down to KL to take a batch of A380s off Malaysian for a price that only the likes of the Swire Group can negotiate.
Emirates got wind of the deal and stopped it - as they didn't want CX lowering the global price of second hand A380s.
I dont actually believe this rumour. I mean its not like CX to dumb down the industry by paying rock bottom prices for aircraft and pilots....