No apology needed Willie, your post was balanced!
Here is a news cutting about the loan from June last year
Air Canada unions lobby Ottawa for full loan | Reuters.
I don't blame the Canadian Government from wanting to protect its (failing) Airline industry, but is this right and fair on a Global scene?
You talk about uneven playing fields, and it seems that Canada is creating exactly that! Apart from the obvious savings in blue collar labour costs (baggage handlers et al), exactly how does EK unbalance its playing field when compared to lets say Malaysian or Garuda? No anecdotal evidence about free fuel etc please, only FACTS.
Despite your balanced post, I'm STILL unclear as to whether you truly believe the entire Canadian Airline industry will fall to its knees if EK were granted a few extra services a week into Canada.
If you do believe that this is the case, then I'm sorry to have to break it to you but denying a foreign carrier Landing Rights aint gonna help buddy! The Canadian Airline industry has been screwed for years (what was it, 3 bust Airlines you worked for?), and trying to pin the blame elsewhere just doesn't wash I'm afraid.
