The interesting point is that we have a vast number of experienced FOs who could theoretically step up for command. Except they're not. The question is "Why not?" Could it be the negligible amount of training given in the command course and the excessively high failure rate (100% this year, can that be true??) has intimidated them to the point of not even applying. No one likes to fail, so when it's almost guaranteed then no one is volunteering.
Really, they want you to be command standard before the course begins. KA's philosophy has always been the command course gave the candidate 3 months to prove they were a captain ( or not as the case is at the moment) rather than 3 months of training. ( you're not supposed to ask questions in the command course as it shows weakness) That's why previously when the pass rate went down they didn't increase the training, they instead made the pre command assessment even harder. This got the failures out of the way earlier apparently. Then back to the sin bin for a year before you're allowed another go. Unfortunately this way of thinking is proving counter productive. We will have to wait and see what the outcome is with the revised command course. It appears to be a step in the right direction.
Lowkoon you seem to be under the impression that there is a "plan" for KA. To be honest l believe most CX management are only vaguely aware we exist. Whilst CX is struggling with the intro of new aircraft and routes, KA has " no expansion, no new routes and no new aircraft planned for the foreseeable future". The only reason that a narrow body replacement is being looked at is that ours are reaching end of life. We have zero aircraft on order. KA has the same number of aircraft as when CX bought us 10 years ago. Whilst our competitors have expanded exponentially. That doesn't sound like a grand strategic plan. Even the last 320s that arrived were all grabbed last minute from wherever they could get them. Sure, we are getting a new paint job and new ties, but a plan?? Not so sure. I'm happy to be proved wrong here.
It appears we are only of interest to CX at the moment as a possible way to get around the AOAs training ban. When that's resolved it'll be back to ops normal