Working with Big companies for years and understanding how things tend to work, here is my take o EK's approach:

1- EK has an over crowding problem, solve it by restricting Silver/Gold access. Members get furious for a few weeks, they send a slew of complaints and emails which customer service shud "try to manage to the best of their abilities", until the storm subsidies (which it all ways does), and the new rules sink in.

2- Monitor the effect on business over the coming 3 months. If no substantial change in revenue is seen, The plan is a success.

3- If there is a fall in numbers, run an attractive promotion for 30 days and make up for the lost business (if any). The plan is a success.

4- If points 2 and 3 above do fail, then, EK announces that due to customer requests, and its commitment to listen to its customers feedback, it had decided to allow Gold members back in. End of the day, all is good and happy.

Thinking about the big picture, Skywards, was an added perk which EK had just cause most other international airlines had them, and EK wanted to compete. With its current loads, I wudnt be surprised if they make it more difficult for getting Silver/Gold, along with reducing mileage earnings.

Just my 0/02 cents.