In the wake of Rod Eddington's departure as Cathay Pacific Airways' managing director, analysts have given a broadly positive reaction to the appointment of his successor, David Turnbull.
Some, however, warned that for the sake of Cathay's long-term credentials, leading Hong Kong-Chinese candidates must be recruited for senior positions as soon as possible.
In particular, market observers are keen to see Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (Dragonair) head Phillip Chen and Air Hong Kong chief Stanley Hui brought back to Cathay with a view to ultimately assuming the top position at Cathay.
However, sources said Mr Turnbull was likely to stay at the helm long enough to oversee the culmination of Cathay's investment in Chek Lap Kok airport - estimated at $1 billion to $2 billion.
Phillip Mok, head of Hong Kong research at Wheelock NatWest, said he believed the appointment of Mr Turnbull was a 'neutral-to-positive' move for Cathay, and that the appointment was the only logical one the company could have made at such a stage.
'He comes across as very capable and very good with airline statistics,' Mr Mok said. 'He obviously knows what he is doing, and comes across well in front of investors.' Before being transferred to Cathay, it was widely said Mr Turnbull was to progress further in the Swire group, he said.