EI for DUB-DXB
Rumours abound that EI has indeed decided on services to DXB; remains to be seen if this is on its own or in c/s with EK. Would suspect the latter, given DM's previous employment.
One factor influencing this will be lack of aircraft and near impossibility of getting A330s or even 340s in secondhand/lease market; better to fly to DXB with a 5-6 wkly frequency, rather than HKG (believed to be next choice) at 2-3 weekly. EI also needs to bear in mind need for capacity next Summer, as Open Skies on t/a routes opens up new opportunities (despite best efforts of the Irish govt).
Hopefully, EI will time its DXB schedule to fit in with EK hub ops.