R999 - The difference I think is that SL is supposed to be a parliamentary democracy and that the airline is a publicly listed corporation.
Bit different to the Gulf Sheikdoms - and anyway the Sheiks usually have their own airplanes anyway. To add to that it was not just the Pres but 35 of his sycophants and bag carriers too.
Just heard that EK will start recruiting pilots from SL once the management agreement has been ended. That will effectively shut the airline down!