On the subject of Airlines receiving preferential treatment from the airport, there are 2 ways it could be looked at. For a route such as EK DXB, the airport management will do all they can to make it work and give EK the facilities that they are accustomed to providing. However, other airlines do seem to have suffered slightly in the airport trying to accommodate them. Leases were not renewed on tour operators desks, requiring a reshuffle and the likes of TOM and TCX seem to have suffered in the check in facilities when the EK is open - with all of their 7/8/9 desks!!!!
The airport should have the ability to satisfy all their airlines, big and small as it is all business. Support should be offered during delays (anyone remember the airports support for long gone FJE?), together with the correct and functional facilities being made available, for example when are NCL going to invest in reliable baggage belts?
Having said all that, one can hardly blame the airport for concentrating on the EK business as who knows it could be the leader in long haul/new routes etc from NCL depending on its success in all areas!