It will be very embarrassing to EI if/when it does happen, especially after all of DM's talk about a hub at DUB. With the winter schedule, (i.e. the overnight dep from DXB, arriving at 0500 and the first t/a departure at about 10.30 - apart from SFO), it seems they're not really trying at all. Either get it right or get off the route.
They could easily maintain the current schedule through the Winter, even with increased t/a routes; it might mean adjusting a few schedules, but surely it's worthwhile making existing routes work before starting new ones? Does EI even market at all in DXB, or did it make any attempt whatsoever to interline with EK and market interline routes via DXB?
And again, what must this say about any prospect for eastbound expansion beyond DXB, even without QR/EK coming into DUB?