Emirates are big enough and ugly enough to combat potential threats from the inept and politically interfered with Indian carriers.
The fourth flight will start when they have sufficient slots aircraft demand and a developing fourth bank in Dubai.
Loss of a few dozen to direct flights won’t make a significant difference to their timeframe imho.
I wrote above about the effects of Chinese political interference and associated goals on the aviation industry.
India also has political interference and pretty tough bilaterals effecting the industry more so that commercial and market lead forces.
Air India fly where Modi’s henchman tells them to, just look at Birmingham to Delhi the flight performed well enough and offered quality regional connections one stop over Delhi however political pressure has made Amritsar a first stop on several flights a week over commercial common sense.
Jet have lost focus under Etihad
And every other potential carrier has been deliberately hamstrung by rules to protect Air India such mimimum fleet sizes before long haul purchases/leases can even be considered.
Archaic seating capacity limits (not frequency limits) continue to be imposed on many bilateral treaties. These remain in place between India and the UK and result in rather limited growth potential for direct flights in reality. Similar limits are imposed between India and UAE
This is far cry from the Openskys approach.
In fact it’s a seriously negative pressure on opening new destinations period!
Such seat capacity limits ensure you maximise your current portfolio by definition.
Whilst writing I can’t believe Air India really makes money with a 77L between Bangalore and San Francisco carrying a few computer techies what ever others think on the other very blue site.
Last edited by Rutan16; 4th Feb 2018 at 10:30.