Directors at Hong Kong Airlines demand damages from rival if he loses court battle

Two directors embroiled in a boardroom battle at troubled Hong Kong Airlines are demanding HK$95m (US$12.2mi) in damages if a court rules in their favour over an injunction order sought by a rival to stop them from interfering with the company. Lawyers for Sun Jianfeng and Hou Wei made the demand on Wednesday at the High Court, in the latest episode of infighting between the pair and self-claimed controlling director Zhong Guosong. The boardroom power struggle – and subsequent court fight – pitted Zhong against Hou, who was backed by Chinese aviation conglomerate HNA, a shareholder of the airline. But the hefty damages demand was unlikely to hurt Zhong’s pocket because of the way the case was structured. Instead, the airline would be expected to pick up the bill. The injunction lawsuit was filed under the name of Hong Kong Airlines Limited, although a source said it was a move by Zhong to come out on top. He has control of the airline because a temporary court injunction has barred Sun, Hou and fellow director Wang Liya from making any decisions beyond normal business operations.<br/>