Your argument about positions being reversed is logically flawed in a few areas.
-If you want to argue about Air Canada, bringing up the history of American and European airlines is barely pertinent.
-The positions aren't "reversed", the Western countries still have the same capabilities they did in the past, the difference is that the ME carriers and others also have the same hardware. Bear in mind that before those evil exploiters came with their DC8's, there was NO service to these places.
-The UAE is free to "protect" their skies in the same way Canada does. And they do, they just use different tactics. Canada refuses to amend a bilateral agreement. The UAE tried to use a military base as leverage to increase it's airlines presence overseas and then had a childish tantrum when it didn't work.
Wiz,
Ironically, you make my point perfectly re: the base. There was an agreement in place, which had the provision to evict Canada on 30 days notice, which was exercised. Guess what? Canada complied and simply moved. So yes, the UAE does have the right to control their territory, and so does Canada. Both have exercised that right. It seems the UAE approach of blackmail plus a hissy fit is more acceptable to you?
As usual, an eloquent rebuttal from Trader. Excellent!
Still curious as to why it seems to be mainly non-Canadians who feel so passionately about AC and EK...weird.