I don't think QF had much say in the start date. 1st April is the start of the EK Financial year. It just keeps EKs the paperwork tidy.
Seems like only a decade and a bit ago EK and QF codeshared. I flew to my interview in DXB on EK with a QF ticket. It seems the balance of power in the agreement might be a bit different this time though.
Farewell EK staff travel.
The Don