Sunfish,
Do you know something that we don't? The shiny new equipment and high cost expatriate crews used by Emirates would not be considered when they cost Tasman operations. Either that or they are operating at a loss. We know that they are not a charitable organisation so they must be costing the extra sections marginally and setting their prices on that. No other way to do it except at a loss.
I think we can also say that if the National Party (in Australia) and its vested interests did not exist, the priviliged position now enjoyed by Emirates would not have been allowed develop by either the ALP or the Liberals. Australia's interests would have been protected. And why the hell did the NZers give them rights?