Given the rumours of a 4th daily EK flight, the fact DXB-MAN-JFK and other USA tag-ons were strongly hinted in the past, and now the fact the Italians have ruled that EK's DXB-MXP-JFK cannot be operated after April 1st 2015, I wonder if the idea of the MAN transit could be back on the table?
Im not suggesting its rumoured, but, one for thought.
Having read a little about the case this evening , what strike me and it may have some implications if held on appeal is that the EU-US open skys treaties appear to have ignored or even excluded the notion of Fifth and Seventh freedoms for none EU carriers other than those grand fathered from prior nation state treaties.
If that is the case then no EU nation state can currently authorise new fifth freedom services for none EU/EEA or US carriers between the EU and the USA
Serious omission if held up on appeal and Emirates are likely going to be hit with a substantial fine/damage claim on any profit made whilst operating illegally.
This would be certain effect Bimans application for Birmingham-JFK and possibly ongoing FlyNas aspirations beyond Manchester.May also effect Norwegian as a none EU carrier and be a part of the reasoning behind the shadow Irish business.
If however the issue is more prosaic and a technical issue such as forgetting to define carriage limitations as usually deemed necessary under fifth freedom we are in a different situation.
In that case Emirate may reconsider the operational transit base and Manchester could be in the frame or perhaps Dublin.
The question remains can they replace capacity at Milan with two daily terminators probably.
Would they consider a further direct non-stop JFK service certainly