I think a little reality check is needed when discussing pax figures thro NCL. As regards the relative success of EK vs. the poor performance of KL / AF then there is unfortunately a link, & it concerns the limitations of the catchment area. For all to do well at NCL then you need generic growth produced from the area itself, hopefully also attracting further pax from outside the region. The generic growth is also of course linked to the ecconomy & individual wealth.
In reality EK has drawn a great deal of its traffic on Far East & Aus routes from BA & KL, which has an ever more detrinental effect of the LF's of the latter. One would suspect that the removal of a mid day AMS has only exascerbated the problem for KL & in reality will they fully recover? Interestingly one should review the overall effect that a much debated second daily EK would have on overall LF's and give greater consideration to the real growth in pax no.'s
The limitations on growth at NCL are clearly illustrated when the performance of Loco's such as EZY are considered, and that many earlier introduced routes have been pulled as being past their "shelf life" the interest of those able to afford having moved on. Albeit this, as an example, is more linked to the leisure side of market, but it extends into the scheduled services and at present business growth is also limited.