Ray Darr,
Yep the Brazilian guy left to go to EK, and knowing him personally this was EK's gain and GF's loss.
The issue with aircraft orders is that lack of commitment from the Government(s) to spend any money. Even this time last year, Hogan submitted a proposal to the board/government to replace Gf's fleet.
This I am told was to fly A330 / 320 fleet to reduce costs and keep the fleet simple. This plan was an interim with the longer term being A350/321 or B787/737. A lot of work was done, including getting Boeing to agree any transition costs from Airbus to Boeing if Boeing was chose. Put it this way, the fleet planning and strategy (which go together) would have been fixed along time ago.
But the board being the board, stalled and stalled and stalled.
Sadly, as others have said, getting a new plane quickly is going to be pretty hard. EY, QR and EK are snuffing up any spare orders.