I guess it's these overlaps that would create efficiency but where would the hub be? It would make sense for DXB, now with T3 and 4 on the way, to be the hub (Pending Jebel Ali) whilst AUH hosts other carriers?

Eithad being the 'national' airline might have the clout to get more destinations than EK...

Not knowing.

Quick update.

It seems that AUH doesn't want EK lock, stock and flannel. It just want's a stake...

Don't quote me though.

'flannel'???

I heard 20%.....

In deference to the impending winter season.

I heard about the same...

Last one from me.

Dubai Business | Kippreport Rise stocks, rise

Back to your original question.

So far, I've seen 3 different scenarios on seniority when two companies merge.

1) List is unified by Date of Hire. In my humble opinion, the fairest scenario, although inevitably people on both sides are unhappy (Captains returning to the right seat and the big fish in the small pond being fish in a big lake).

2) Winner takes all. The pilots of the "acquired" company go to the bottom of the seniority list. Losers very unhappy. This happened when American aquired TWA. Should not be a major factor, mind you, in the event of an EK/EY merger since seniority doesn't really decide who flies the left or right seat.

3) A 2:1 type of merging scenario-- where the pilots of the victor company get two seniority places for every one of the "losing" company. Again, people unhappy from both teams. This is what happened when Air Canada acquired Canadian Airlines.

Overall, combining workforces has never been a smooth an happy situation in any airline merger.

20%...

This makes it a bit more intriguing as Etihad would then no longer compete with EK as it is not in their interest to do so. It could help start a new relationship of cooperation, probably better than a full blown take over bid which could be very divisive... As an interim measure it could test the water for a closer link up in the future...

If the rumours are true, then just a couple of questions on this matter.

1) I thought Emirates was a profitable airline (if you believe all the financial reports and newspaper articles). What happened?

2) How will this affect start-up plans for Fly Dubai?

Goody , I might get to fly the 787 after all :)

1. Emirates was and is still profitable. It's the whole Dubai Inc. (who owns EK) that is short of liquidity. For EY it would be a great step, their huge losses could just be covered by EKs profit. Even with a 20% entry share they could profit. They would influence streamlining of certain routes.

2. Most probalby stalling or considerably slowing this start.