I can understand why countries are nervous. There is only so much of a bilateral you can have with Dubai. Most European countries could maybe fly one or two flights a day there, and that is about the amount of people that want to fly there from those countries or connections from others. But Emirates flies passengers from all over through Dubai, and then onto those European countries, taking away connection passengers from those in Europe. It's called protectionism, and it is legal. Dubai and the UAE don't like it, but they can't offer much else to those European countries or Canada. BA or LH may fill one or two widebodies per day, but Emirates wants 10 a day.
So? What is the difference between what Emirates is doing and what Delta or any other airline does? It is all hub and spoke. Delta flies pax from DXB to ATL and then onward to destinations....exactly the same thing Emirates does. Emirates gives passengers what they want and not necessarily at the cheapest price either. The food is good, the stews are nice and hot, the seats comfortable, the entertainment system excellent and they don't nickle and dime you for stupid stuff like headsets, snacks, baggage etc. You even get fed for free on the shorter flights, what a concept. The fact that Emirates is able to fill up planes is because people demand a good product and they get it here. If they didn't, there are plenty of other airlines to fly......like Delta. Incidentally, I am hearing through the grapevine that Delta may be looking at starting a second flight into DXB.
BTW, I talked to a passenger in the ATL airport a couple days ago that just came in from Dubai (DXB) and he said he filled up his rental car with gas for about $5. Sounds like gas is cheaper there. Maybe you think he was lying. I think there should be limits. France, Germany, and Canada are the first to do it, and if Emirates takes away more passengers from other Countries national airlines, expect more. Where will they then put those 90 extra A380s? All to Sudan? What about Zimbabwe?
Gasoline is cheaper....not Diesel, Jet fuel etc. Wouldn't it be nice if the US had arranged and capped gas prices for its citizens also when they agreed to export their natural resources to other countries? As you noted, the guy who turned in his rental car was a tourist and filled his car up. He did not live here and was able to take advantage of the lower cost of gasoline. It is not limited to locals or people residing here. However, unfortunately for all the airlines the fuel price cap or control is only for gasoline or Delta could take advantage of it as well.
So let me pose a question to you. If Delta could fill up 30 777's a day to airports in the UK, you think that the governments should be able to say whoaaa no way Delta, you are too profitable and your not allowed to come in here. Get real, you would be all over it like a fly on crap. To me, it doesn't matter where they put the 380's....they can fly them to timbuktu as long as they are profitable. They obviously see opportunities that we don't see which is why they get paid the big bucks.
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