EK Ground time
Indeed, a good article actually which explains quite well the reasoning.
45% of the average BLF is point to point STN-DXB traffic, with this being the biggest contributor to the route it makes sense to ensure this has the best timings , overnight departure from STN with a morning arrival into DXB is very well suited. With 45% of the traffic connecting in DXB this time allows connecting to their 2nd largest bank of connecting flights. I would imagine if the p2p market share on this flight was typically lower than 45%, say 20% or something then the flight could well have less ground time in STN and arrive into DXB for the other bank of connecting departures in DXB.
in any case I imagine over time of the average load factors remain around the 80-85% mark a double daily will be on the cards again soon, meaning both the best p2p timings for Dubai pax and best option for onward connecting with those early morning DXB onward connections connecting