2 years ago, EK raised the possibility of flying from "Northern English cities" direct to the US.

In Tim Clark's interview reported yesterday, he mentioned "Swedish and Danish cities" in the same breath as the statement that as many as 20 European cities consider themselves underserved and having made at least some approach to Emirates.

During the whole Etihad/Aer Lingus initial investment, it emerged that both EK and EY had sought permission to operate from DUB to the US.