Emirates Fires Warning

[Nigelinoz]

From http://www.travelweekly.com.au/dirplus/images/travelweekly/TravelTodayPDF/10_02_2009.pdf
Emirates has accused airline alliances of hindering competition and warned
that constant consolidation is damaging the industry
The carrier said alliances are effectively ganging up on non participating airlines by peddling
unfounded allegations and instigating "co-ordinated attacks" Dubai-based Emirates used its
public affairs publication, Open Sky, to highlight its concerns and called on authorities to take the
issue more seriously."Emirates believes competition is the forgotten story of the
economic maelstrom of 2008 and now 2009," the carrier wrote.
"Emirates has never belonged to, nor has any plans to join an alliance. We see them as having
significant anti-competitive elements. We challenge policy makers to more seriously
analyse the outcomes of recent consolidation and the impact of alliances on the competitive
environment in 2009 and beyond."It highlighted a slide produced by Lufthansa, the lead carrier
in Star Alliance and a firm believer in consolidation, which detailed
how members could "react to the EK threat". Stopping
interlining, halting Dubai services and bringing other Middle East carriers into the alliance were
among the slide’s bullet points.Draw your own conclusions on the power, co-ordination and
and consumer interest on the strategy implied by this slide,"
Emirates said,Air France had also peddled myths ,including the assertion that Emirates
receives state subsidies,the carrier said..
Further consolidation is also likely to impact regional and secondary airports ,including
Brisbane,which could be" exposed and negatively impacted"
"We also find it disingenuous that some leading airlines remain determined to thwart other
non-alliance carriers like Emirates from providing fair and reasonable competition
through their lobbying for state protection via air traffic rights"it added.
.

 

[BAM1748]

That's right Emirates, an alliance is to strenthen the positions of their members.

I guess they have been left with a chair when the music stopped and it's a good media grab to blame the alliances for their hurt and lack of competition which of course when you actually look at the numbers is incorrect.

 

[clifford]

There is a solution, Emirates. Just join an alliance. That way the problem goes away and passengers benefit too.

I could also say that about the Virgin group and most other middle East airlines (Egyptair and RJ excepted, of course) . They certainly don't get my business because of it, and a lot of others must share my views.

So what's with the refusal to join an alliance? Don't want to pay???