Maybe this is why Emirates are considering bases:
Britain forms plan for Gulf evacuation in event of war with Iran - Telegraph
Notwithstanding, Cathay
should be pooping blue lights if it is true. They would have to seriously upgrade their package to recruit and retain pilots; A scales anyone?
(With, of course, an appropriate adjustment for the zero pay rise over the years).
Or maybe their plan is for cranky 60 + year old captains, too old to go anywhere else, keeping the show on the road with ex-cadets in the other seats? Nothing would surprise me with this lot.
As incumbent EK pilots would have first lash at the bases, Emirates would have to pay a king's ransom to attract crews to the sandpit, especially in the light of the above link.
As always in the airline industry, an interesting year ahead, and 'Happy New Year' from the galasphere!
Larry Dart