Given EK's new order just announced and the expected order for A350s and/or 787s, I was just wondering if they can afford to let opportunities like this slip by? Ireland could be a potentially good market for EK - true, not as big as many of them, but it is Europe's fastest growing and second wealthiest economy ... and EK's going to throw in the towel just because EI is adding three flights a week?
If you look at EI's new route, it seems obvious that their main objective is to stop EK coming in. It might make sense for EI, but from a wider Irish perspective, it's not good news ... EI is trying to enter interline deals with everyone but EK at DXB (which doesn't leave a lot of choice). Much as I encourage EI to expand eastwards, I've always believed EK could do good business in Dublin. The prospect of having EK flying in here, with the incentive to market Ireland aggressively in many new (for Ireland) and important markets, is incredibly important and certanly, too big to be scuppered by three weekly flights by EI.
Come on guys, get in ... don't miss the chance! It's already been rumoured that QR is interested in DUB-DOH. EK should have been in there ages ago, but let's not waste any more time.