From Routes News:
"Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in London in February, the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the UK Department of Transport, granted additional rights for the two regional carriers to operate between the UK and UAE, and fifth freedom rights to operate to intermediate points beyond the UAE in Europe, including Frankfurt, Zurich, Rome, Amsterdam and Geneva."
Much of the Gulf carriers' business ex-UK is VFR traffic to India/Pakistan. This development will increase capacity in that market and reduce prices.
Will the use of 737/A320 aircraft be more economical than 777/A330?