Nothing like your aviation governing body telling your airlines whats expected.
More flights to Australia a top priority says, DCA
By Ivan Gale, Staff Reporter ,Gulf News
Dubai: Increasing services to Australia is the most pressing goal of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, a top official said yesterday.
Mohammad Ahli, a director of operations and executive board member of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, said the UAE is waiting to hear the results of negotiations with the Australian Government over a new bilateral air transport agreement. The talks, which were expected to take place this year, have yet to be scheduled.
"We've put in a request to the Australian Government but have not yet heard back," he said. The department wants to nearly double its current allotment of 54 flights a week to 102 flights by 2011, led mainly by Emirates and its upcoming new fleet of Airbus A380s.
In addition, Etihad Airways intends to operate more services to Australia and will be a part of the upcoming delegation to Australia.
Resistance has brewed in some parts of the Australian Government and Qantas to the additional flights, but Ahli noted Qantas would not be allowed to fly more services to Dubai unless UAE carriers are given more access to Australia. In the last round of negotiations, Emirates agreed to fly to cities specified by the Australian government.
In lieu of such reciprocity agreements, Ahli said Australia might ask to code share with UAE carriers if Australian airlines aren't allowed to offer more flights to the UAE. Ahli said the Civil Aviation Department was also keenly focused on North America, and that the Airbus A380 delay would not affect Emirates' plans to begin service to Los Angeles. Emirates' fleet of A340-500 and A340-600 aircraft as well as its Boeing 777s are capable of making the trip. The daily service would begin next year, he said.
A person familiar with the Emirates plans said the carrier intends to open a route to Toronto and then to Montreal. However, the task was difficult as Canada is more protective of its sector than the US.
Not sure if this guy has all his facts straight but the intention is clear!