If you understood the different Emirates, you would understand that they are very competitive and it is unlikely we would see a merger between EY and EK.

While they are at seperate airports yes...

But remember, the rulers of both Emirates have close relations with each other (both branches of the same family) and have common interests, in fact so close Abu Dhabi "bailed out" Dubai when the latter has issues with their debt

All I am saying is that EY is better off merging with EK once DWC opens than investing in Air Berlin

They are close family yes, but what I am saying is that there is competition between families and that is what happens in the Emirates, it is a matter of separate pride that each Emirate has an airline and therefore the merging of the two is unlikely.

In that case what about a Emirates-FlyDubai merger?

EK - Full Service Fly Dubai - LCC different models, but as you say they share the same owners why do they need to merge.

So that Emirates can better serve the local Middle East region with aircraft sutable for the job, along with smaller destionations that can only be served out of DXB with 737/787/A319/A320/A321/A330s

Last time I was in Dubai (November 2012) there were plenty of EK flights to regional destinations, so they seem to be managing quite well. If EK need a different aircraft type for some services they would be buying it, buying aircraft doesn't seem to be a problem for them.

The Government of Dubai has basically desided to let all the 737/A320s flights out of Dubai that they run in the hands of FlyDubai

What I am suggesting is that FlyDubai becomes a subsidery of The Emirates Group and increases ties with EK

Would it be a good idea?

DWC has been open for some time but has no passenger flights, only freighters. The terminal is being used for non-aviation purposes such as business exhibitions. Passenger operations on any scale seem to be some way off yet.

DXB has just opened the EK T3 A380 concourse which should keep them going for a few years yet with capacity now up to 75 million and demand at 57 million.
Press releases

Plans exist for 90 million capacity at DXB by 2018 and indeed construction of Concourse 4 at DXB is already under way in the NW corner of the airfield

From the Dubai Airports Strategic plans to 2020

Although DWC is the long-term solution to Dubai’s aviation needs, adequate capacity to house Emirates’ considerable operation is not expected to be in place until at least the mid-point of the next decade. Accordingly, and until such time that DWC is adequately developed, Dubai International must expand to accommodate fleet expansion and traffic growth and retain the network
efficiency established by its main hub carriers.

SP 2020, Dubai Airports’ ten-year masterplan, outlines aggressive expansion plans for airspace, airfield, stands and terminal areas at Dubai International. The plan takes into account the need to minimise constraints on growth by delivering timely capacity, while improving service levels and generating strong cash flow to maximise capital investment. Further, it effectively balances the need for facility development, process improvement and demand management to ensure optimal utilisation of facilities and maximum return on investment.
It is also designed to reinforce Dubai’s hub status and ensure a smooth transition to Dubai World Central in the long term.

Finally, the plan requires the construction of additional terminals and
concourse areas. SP2020 calls for the creation of an additional 675,000 sqm
of floor space – twice the footprint of London Heathrow Terminal 5.
Highlighting this expansion, and separate from the construction of
Concourse 3, is the expansion of Terminal 2 and the construction of
Concourse 4.

http://www.dubaiairport.com/en/media...nt%20FINAL.pdf

Absolutely correct.

EK is the 3rd largest carrier in the world comparing ASK
United ends 2012 as world's biggest airline, Emirates third. Turkish and Lion Air the biggest movers | CAPA - Centre for Aviation

I've been under the impression that Emirates is highly regarded but this incident has me puzzled. Relatives of mine are returning to SYD from LHR via Dubai on a 380. Shortly before arrival in Dubai it was announced that they were "diverting" to Sharjah for refuelling. They were kept on the ground for more than 3 and a half hours before taking off for the short flight to Dubai.

To make matters worse they missed their connection to SYD and, following a 6 hour wait at Dubai, they are being put on a flight to Perth where a further 4 hour wait awaits them before their flight to SYD. Their journey has, thus, been extended by about 14 hours.

In relation to the diversion, from my limited knowledge of that part of the world, that would be the equivalent of an LHR bound flight diverting to LGW due fuel issues which is hardly likely. Is it?

If, for whatever reason, there were long holds into Heathrow and the aircraft was low on fuel then yes it may well divert ot Gatwick or Stansted.

There was obviously some good reason this flight needed to divert to Sharjah.

If long holds at Dubai and none at Sharjah you are low on fuel I know which I would take, fog is a strange beast and can behave in strange ways like it is in Manchester today

Chaps

Guess that 3rd RWY will be slighly too tight for OMDB, unless they demolish the Al Twar area:E...

There were no weather factors involved, just too many planes wanting to land at the same time.

I am very surprised EK haven't had Paris ORLY in their sights. Is it a possibility

Kind regards

Mike

ayroplain....In relation to the diversion, from my limited knowledge of that part of the world, that would be the equivalent of an LHR bound flight diverting to LGW due fuel issues which is hardly likely. Is it?

Yes .. well this has happened to me in the past & the flight from LGW to LHR must go down as 1 of the shortest 747 flights (ever?) & very memorable....

Simon

Would they be allowed to? American were dragged kicking and screaming out of Orly to CDG on the orders of le French state.

As "Skipness" said, are the authorised? It's just like the Canada misery for EK, as they are only limited to flying there 3 times a week:*; surely around 100% payload on those few flights. Man will they make paper if they could introduce more frequencies.