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

For most of the Capt's here would not be effected by any slow down in the expansion . FO's on the other hand a big effect and poss a big effect on recruitment. This year @100 upgrades on the 380 and@30 on the 777 maybe a few on the 330 but that it, I'm guessing 2015 will be much the same or even a bit slower. 3500 pilots @ 1800 capt ,by years end 3800 and 1950 capt . Next year ? Good luck

Errrr ... did I miss something? When did EK say (in all seriousness) they will cancel 380/777 orders if they dont get rights :confused:

An Italian court ruled the MXP-JFK rights were granted incorrectly, how these rights work none of us will know. Many other airlines have 5th freedom rights including Europe-beyond. This is more politics from Alitalia/Assaereo than anything else.

A statement to that effect was issued at the Airshow by a senior ek staff member. I will have a look online and post. It was said though.

Look at this...
 

This ought to answer that....

West must loosen airport access or we may cancel jet orders ? Sheikh Ahmed - Politics & Economics - ArabianBusiness.com

Thanks, Shaken. was just about to post the same link.

:ugh::ugh::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: They are so arrogant...one day their day will come and they will not be quite so arrogant or powerful. I look forward to this day :E

Setting aside the whole "holding my breath till I turn blue" petulance of such a stance (which does sum up the level of sophistry of the place).

The logic (??) is that EK will cancel their aircraft orders that they need to serve new destinations - if they can't get more access to new destinations?

Ohhh. OK.

Let them buy airframes from the Chinese and Russians then.

Yes, the concern for local business and customer convenience is touching. Couldn't have anything to do with not being able to expand unimpeded with the tsunami of cheap labour to further the company's massive profits. Could it?