EK lease their planes. They haven't bought in the past. I understand they are now purchasing some outright as financing isn't as easy for them to obtain at the rates they want to pay. If EK don't buy planes there are plenty of other buyers.
The bully boy tactics are coming home to roost. EK are now on the radar for a host of reasons. Not many of them positive. TC's arrogance in his dealings with the Indians is well known; it got him nowhere. Ditto Germany and Canada and now Italy.
The Americans won't be pressured by EK. There is only one country in this region that pressures America. It ain't these guys.
EK is the cash cow that is being used to pay some of Dubai Inc's debts. They will play brinkmanship games, but they will always back away at the end. Just like they did with Canada