For what it's worth, here is my 2 dirhams of input...
No pain no gain; B747 are expensive and whilst they have the capacity, the extra fuel/crew needed to carry the 200 odd (!) punters over a B767 / A330 costs more than revenue generated
4 x A330 cannot be introduced over night; hence the 18 month 'downsizing' - crews have to be trained etc etc
The ASI contract was not renewed; partly I understand due late confirmation that the a/c would be available to operate the flights (remember; not an XL machine )
The surgeon has had to make cuts to save the patient....; none of this detracts from all of the uncertainty that we are all facing at the moment..myself included.....
