I am not so sure at the moment. QR has just entered the market and I heard from a reliable source that they threaten to leave STR if EK gets in. Airport's decision may depend on which customer they consider more important then...

If QR would do that at every port EK opens there won't be many place left they can fly to. For an airport, the more options and connections they can offer the better. Surely QR will make STR think a bit but if it's enough to stop EK from entering I doubt.

GIG and EZE from Jan
 

Press release here:
http://www.emirates.com/english/abou...58200&offset=0


Flight schedule as follows:

[KVS Availability Tool 6.1.2/Diamond - Amadeus: Timetable/NL-BCDF]

Emirates777.
Heard a rumour that Manchester will be used as hub for DXB/MAN/LAX using an A380 from September 2011.
Any truth in this please?

Regards Offshore

should be dxb instead of dbx

MAN has enough loads of its own that they don't need a tag on flight. Moreover this just isn't EK's business model. And the A380 future variants can ply the LAX route direct. And I don't know if 5th freedom rights will be possible on this route.

Where did you hear this?

I hope you mean dxb=dubai as there is no airport such as dbx! fyi

Whilst I would doubt EK would run DXB-MAN-LAX, Im sure I read somewhere they do have the 5th freedom rights, and have had since 2001.

There was apparently a plan back in 2001 that they would run a B772 DXB-MAN-LAX and back, but obviously never happened.

Also, if such a route ran, I doubt MAN-DXB traffic, or even MAN-LAX would be of interest to EK, just a stop off tech stop. but would love to try MAN-LAX on them if it did materialise!

Welcome wanna_be_there. I assume you're the same guy from pprune?

Cheers,
Rick

I am the same DYKWIA. Hope thats ok?

Yep - of course! Welcome to FlyerTalk. Dunno if Mr. Skipness is on here :D

I don't really post much on PPrune. I just recognised your 'name'.

Cheers,
Rick

haha, well, thanks for the welcome.

I wouldnt mind if he was on here, as, everybody is entitled to an opinion, as is everybody entitled to disagree with them.

Look forward to more postings, as this thread in particular is quite usefull in giving 'prior knowlege', especially Emirates777.

In terms of the MAN rumour, whilst I obviously have my doubts, there are a few intersting things to mention:

There are constantly rumours that a 2nd A380 will be gracing MAN'S tarmac come september, and that MAN are close to securing a west coast USA route. Im also lead to believe EK are interested in a RTW option, so, could DXB-MAN-LAX-DXB be that route?
An A380 will not make LAX without either a stop or weight restriction, so, could be method to the rumour madness?

I think we'll have to see how the new A330 flights do before we can start hoping for a 2nd A380.

I have definitely decided that when I win the lottery, me and the missus will spend every Friday afternoon on the A380 to DXB, returning on the Monday having spend some quality time in a nice hotel. If they made the afternoon flight an A380, that would make it perfect.

Cheers,
Rick

Well, if the route comes off, I dont think the capacity offered to MAN will be much at all. Maybe 10-20 seats at most if the LAX loads are anything to go by. I think EK would be more concerned with the DXB-LAX-DXB segment, rather than what MAN could offer in terms of loads.

Therefore, if the A380 does go to LAX with a stop, MAN stands better stead due to:

-the airport being A380 ready
-has the lounges and hotel facilities if a flight goes tech mid way
-a good relationship between MAN/EK, and MAN also pffers some very good deals for airlines wnating ti use MAN for transit stops
-Other countries in europe are imposing tight terms on EK frequencies, such as Germany, france and now Austria
-LHR is the other place they could use, but with expensive slots, with some random times for the unused slots, it wouldnt be worth while for EK.

Therefore MAN stands out if a stop is needed, but, we are not even sure if it does yet, so I suppose we will wait and see.

I have absolutely no ideas where did you hear this. I did not see real official news releases from EK. If there is enough more demands. Because LHR is too extremely expensive slots restrictions. Instead, MAN is more convenient for EK to flying nonstop from DXB-MAN-LAX and this is fifth freedom traffic rights. If there is enough more capacity growth in MAN. Could be expanding more new USA routes from MAN-SFO/LAX/LAS/PHX/ORD. I think the entire A380 gates will be ready to installed double dual jetbridge and lounge, too.