Thanks for this additional info.

By way of clarification, When I referred to EK012 as having a similar departure time, I meant similar in relation to EK008, rather than EK016.

I had conversations earlier today with a number of EK people who passed me around until I finally got to speak to someone who seemed genuinely interested in helping. (I was in all honesty disappointed and surprised by the overall quality of telephone support, not least because on previous calls relating purely to administrative matters, I seem to have received more professional attention).

I was asked if I was flexible on departure airports, and in light of DYKWIA's suggestion I said yes, and that my preference was for EK008. All the indications were that this change would be agreed, but that it just required formal approval from someone higher up the food chain. After holding the line I was then told that LHR would NOT in fact be offered due to "ticket restrictions". EK012 was offered instead, from LGW, but during the time I was kept hanging on the line I had established that there have been as many as fifteen equipment changes on that flight over the last thirty days alone (more even than EK016) and so I pointed out that I would have only a 50% chance of travelling as originally booked.

All rather unsatisfactory I have to say , and things are currently at a stalemate.

They are "getting back" to me tomorrow ..........