EK seem to be doing well which is great news for the region - business pax hate Heathrow these days (well all of my colleagues do anyway) and will do anything to avoid it! Previously this meant BRU, AMS, LGW or CDG. I think EK will do well as long as there fares remain competitive and I have just booked to use them to go to Sydney next year.
On New York, I agree with several of the other posters. The rumours have been going around for ages and I don't think AA would come back and take on the route anyway! Let's just wait for something more solid to come out - I'll only believe it when I see the first flight take off!
We don't seem to be seeing much short haul expansion at the moment...EZY cutting routes for winter, nothing back from BE and no future announcements from LS. Perhaps we're seeing a period of consolidation at NCL.
Re Gill Airways......I assume this is a joke!