I agree that the man is GAARfield's silly, drewling dog and that such a restriction has not even the slightest to do with the mentioned depth of experience.
EK has sent guys to new regions and destinations (I remember Sao Paolo and recently Adis ...) where not one of the crew has ever been there and no special briefing whatsoever was given. EK Management couldn't give a rodents backside to experience and would have happily and mercilessly fired any one who screwed up at a new airport.
However, this new restriction comes as a blessing to us, I have to admit. It's true that certain destinations are only atteinable in top bid and you have to bid for them so heavily, that if you get them, they consequently pop up in tripples or more. No one would restrict the date range because it simply lessens the chance of getting there. But most of us don't want tripples. Doubles would do nicely, thank you and they would increase the chances for others, even in lower groups, to get some crumbs as well.
To me this restriction is an improvement, allthough it was intended to screw us.