Emirates

[juddles]

was talking to a friend about airline matters today, and through his comments I understood a potential growth path for Emirates.

To cut a long story short, I believe that Emirates will become, over the next decade, a super-airline. They will become truly global, with almost no real competition. They signal the demise of the legacy airlines.

And I think Alan Joyce has done, with his QF-EK partnership, an amazing thing that may allow QF to exist in a future travel world where almost every airline we know today will fall.

 

[mannej]

And I think Alan Joyce has done, with his QF-EK partnership, an amazing thing that may allow QF to exist in a future travel world where almost every airline we know today will fall.

You will find a lot of people with a staunch dislike of the EK tie up for whatever reasons.

 

[TomVexille]

They are in a unique position with their location, labour laws and cost base. It will be interesting to see what happens next. Can DXB (and DWC) keep up with EK?

 

[mushez]

But if more countries do the likes of what China have done and restrict EK capacity, aka landing slots, it will put a dampener on things. Even now EK are at their ceiling height of slots allowed at Heathrow and Gatwick.

 

[dajop]

But if more countries do the likes of what China have done and restrict EK capacity, aka landing slots, it will put a dampener on things. Even now EK are at their ceiling height of slots allowed at Heathrow and Gatwick.

One of the rumours is that they are looking at starting services to Stansted.

 

[moa999]

Emirates (and indeed Virgin Atlantic) already use Gatwick.

Juddles, apart from US access, EK is already at that point

 

[juddles]

Emirates (and indeed Virgin Atlantic) already use Gatwick.

Juddles, apart from US access, EK is already at that point

What if they were to say, build a huge hub in central America? Thus opening the entire north and south American markets, and providing a very attractive alternative to the current trans-pacific services

 

[TheRealTMA]

What if they were to say, build a huge hub in central America? Thus opening the entire north and south American markets, and providing a very attractive alternative to the current trans-pacific services

Simple. Find an airline obsessed Sheik in Central America with about 50 billion to spend on a new airport hub and Mary's your auntie! Plus somehow stop the US government undermining your project and your away.

 

[juddles]

I think the money will not be a problem. The US government is a different story, but not insurmountable. IMHO.

 

[samh004]

I think the money will not be a problem. The US government is a different story, but not insurmountable. IMHO.

Depends how much sway the U.S. Airlines have over their own government compared to the EK sway. If it's enough, EK will be stopped in their tracks, if it's not then I'd agree it's bye bye to everyone but EK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Emirates is not for everyone.

They may become a 'super airline' (already have?), but they will need to maintain not only cheap fares, but reliability and on board service as well. Some may think the tie-up between Qantas and Emirates is a good thing... but look at reliability into heathrow.

national carriers will continue to survive... and will continue to be profitable. They may not be as big as Emirates, but I'm not sure that really matters... as long as they are making profits.

I don't know how Emirates can become 'truly global' when they can't fly trans-pacific. Huge (and very profitable) market there, and I'm not sure there are too many premium travellers wanting to route HKG-LAX or NRT-LAX via DXB when you can do it non-stop.

 

[RooFlyer]

What if they were to say, build a huge hub in central America? Thus opening the entire north and south American markets, and providing a very attractive alternative to the current trans-pacific services

Oh, fabulous.

"Qantas is pleased to announce that we have listened to our loyal customers and will no longer fly into LAX (or DFW). We will be joining our Emirates partners by flying direct into Guatemala City where Qantas customers will be able to catch any of the 25 Emirates services to 25 cities in the US.

The other good news we are announcing today is that due to congestion at DXB, Qantas' iconic Kangaroo Route, QF1 to and QF2 from London will now be a TPAC and TATL service via Guatemala City. We know Qantas' loyal customers will enjoy the more efficient service via Emirates new hub at GUA. This will result in substantial savings for Qantas as well."

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

I don't know how Emirates can become 'truly global' when they can't fly trans-pacific. <snip>.

"Emirates Guatemala", the new national airline of Guatemala, will have TPAC rights.

 

[juddles]

..... flying direct into Guatemala City .....

would suit me right now Flying ANY carrier to the USA involves a 23 hr connection for me to continue down to Colombia :/

 

[flying_double]

EK won't be able to be everything to everyone. Yes they'll be one of the world's biggest airlines, but there'll still be plenty of competition.

 

[smit0847]

One thing EK cant control is the whims of foreign governments deciding to protect their airlines by restricting EK.