a level playing field
If Emirates are to get rights to fly UK to say the US, will they be subject to the same regulations toward passengers? Call to mind Volcanic Ash cloud.
My feeling is that they EK or any other airline for that matter shouldn't be allowed to compete in the market without being subject to the same regulatory environment. Granting 5th freedom routes should come with conditions.
They could certainly do a good job in developing the US routes from the regions just as they have to/from Dubai and onwards.