TA,
That simply is not correct for some of the DEC's. Many
ARE fully bonded for the USD 36000 and 3 years.
That aside, the contract is so full of loopholes now, especially with the changes made by AAR. I don't think a court of law (even in Dubai) would have any problem in saying the bond is null and void, whatever the amount.
It would only take one affirmative decision to establish a precedent with which EK would be most uncomfortable.
Time to take out that legal insurance ?