. I would like to see Emirates operating without the financial backing and unlimited political monopoly from Dubai government to perceive the real strength of this airline.
In what way do you percieve that EK has "Financial backing" from the Dubai Government. EK has been profitable and self funding, returning dividends TO the Dubai Goevernment, since its second year of operation.
Also, what do you mean by "Political Monopoly"? Traffic rights? Every country in the world negotiates traffic rights to be as advantageous to it's own econnomy as possible. Look at the situation with Canada. And in that regard, traffic rights granted to the UAE have to be shared with Etihad, whilst the UAE has an open skies policy.
EKs strenghts are geographic position and relativley cheap labour who do not pay income tax. It doesn't need and doesn't get subsidies from it's owners, rather the opposite is true!