Clunk, your argument doesn't hold water!
If nations withheld landing slots because there were no bi-lateral benefits, then why has the UK Government granted slots for 100 EK flights per week into the UK? The UK has a population of around 60 million (about twice that of Canada), and the UAE a population of 5 million. Using your reasoning, the UK has nothing to gain and the the UAE everything...... But you well know that this is not the case.
Australia is another example of where the government is refusing to buckle to pressure from its National Carrier Qantas by using protectionism. Its allowing huge access to EK, EY and QR increasing every year, because even the the Aussies recognise the important benefits of free competition. Do you not think that these governments have looked into whether EK is a legitimate business? Or are you saying that the UK Government are stupid? Bare in mind the UK GDP is considerably bigger than that of Canada before you answer that
The point that everyone seems to be missing is that there is HUGE demand for extra services from Canada. ALL flights to/from YYZ ARE overbooked, and yet AC is still in existence! AC will not 'go under' if EK are granted greater access as the extra people to fill the extra flights already exist! Why can't people see it??
