EK - the number of one stop destinations has rocketed with EK DXB, and its not just all the smaller Indian, Pakistani and African destinations what about PER, SYD, BNE and I could go on. I have friends and family in PER and it has significantly reduced flight home times. In fact one friend has started going back to UK again because the NE is one stop away!!
I have family in Northumbria Uni and before EK most Far East students arrived in UK via Manchester or London airports!! Since EK most arrive in NCL with EK.
BRU - Whilst it is sad to see go has always struggled! Even in the days of SN it was the DL US connections which topped up the route. You cannot blame EK for taking pax's from the couple of African destinations BEL offer! BEL BRU hub is nothing KLM or BA cannot offer! A smaller aircraft, bak to Say E135, with a push on Business then this might just work!