View Full Version : Is this fair?
As far as I know Dnata is the only ground handler in both of Dubai's airports. Is it fair that Dnata can operate in other airports but other ground handlers cannot operate in Dubai?
In some countries for some sectors (eg railways) the principle of reciprocity has been applied where a foreign operator cannot access another market unless their own market is deregulated. However, in ground handling this does not seem to be taking place at the moment.
groundhogbhx
17th Jun 2014, 15:10
Whether it is fair or not is irrelevant. The UAE has restrictions on handling agents, it used to happen in many more countries around the world.The same way as some state airlines have a monopoly, but others now don't. There is nothing you can do about it so there is no point in worrying.
Fair enough, but nonetheless I do believe that the EU should tell the UAE that if Dnata wants to operate in Europe it is welcome to do so as long as Swissport, Aviapartner and so on can access Dubai's ground handling sector.
There is already strong competition from Middle East carriers as they have cheaper labour, cheaper petrol and some EU airlines (Air France-KLM and Lufthansa) also say that they have illegal subsidies. If the EU also allows them to compete here for ground handling well then I just do not see it as a fair competition.
aergid
30th Jun 2014, 01:57
its as easy as:
they are not an EU handling agent and their mother company is also not and EU company so therefore they can do as they please.
Why would DBX want any other handling than DNATA when they are in fact the same company (including Emirates). The sultan of Dubai can do what he likes, therefore Swissport, Avipartner or whoever have no chance of getting into DBX etc....
Capetonian
30th Jun 2014, 06:40
Nothing is fair in that part of the world, or anywhere for that matter. Dubai is one of the must unfair, unequal, hypocritical and evil places in the world. Nothing I can do about it except boycott their airline and never go there.
The sultan of Dubai can do what he likesThat's the gist of it, and the EU airlines will carry on flying to the place as long as they make profits from so doing.
As for the ME airlines receiving fuel subsidies, they have frequently and vigorously denied it. I have my own view on that one.
Some years ago a Region in Italy published a tender to operate the regional train service. SNCF (the French railways) wanted to be part of a group participating but Trenitalia went to Court as if Trenitalia wanted to invest in the French regional train market it is not allowed to do so. Therefore SNCF were not allowed to participate.
The same should be told to DNATA, as there is no reciprocity the national Governments should not issue a licence to them until when the ground handling market in Dubai is deregulated.