Bakersdozen From Canada, joined Nov 2006, 333 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 8 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 2920 times:
Saw a clip on the evening news today about EK starting flights into Toronto next month.
They were interviewing someone from EK (forget who he was, some management/marketing guy probably) and he was saying that EK is eyeing the YYC oil market, and that they would like to enter YYC if the Canada - UAE bilateral was changed to allow them more flights to Canada.
Anyone know the chances of a new Canada-UAE bilateral? I'm assuming not very good (to protect AC) but really have no idea.
This would open up a whole new gateway, namely trips to the Maldives! haha
Sebring From Canada, joined Jul 2004, 1658 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (5 years 8 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 2898 times:
The government has told EK to use the frequencies it has and then apply for more once it proves the demand. That is only now happening. Through back channels, the government has also given the UAE a number of reciprocal proposals it would expect as part of a very liberal agreement. Sometime in the next 12-24 months, there should be a deal but the lineup for deals is long and the bureaucrats can only negotiate so many agreements at one time.
Bakersdozen From Canada, joined Nov 2006, 333 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 8 months 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 2513 times:
Quoting Sebring (Reply 1): Through back channels, the government has also given the UAE a number of reciprocal proposals it would expect as part of a very liberal agreement.
Thanks Sebring, what are your thoughts regarding AC if that would happen. AC doesn't have a very strong Middle East network but I'm sure it would pull people off of the LHR and FRA flights.
YOWza From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 4781 posts, RR: 17 Reply 5, posted (5 years 8 months 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 2469 times:
IF EK want in they WILL find a way. Remember Last year at this time there seemed little chance of EKK in YYZ, now they already have a sign up on the highway directing drivers to Terminal 1.
As for 10-across seating, I doubt they would do that on a YYC run. More than likely they would switch to a less dense configuration.
Emirates773ER From Pakistan, joined Jun 2005, 1448 posts, RR: 10 Reply 6, posted (5 years 8 months 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 2377 times:
Quoting Sebring (Reply 1): then apply for more once it proves the demand
Why would the goverment have a say in that?
Quoting YOWza (Reply 5): IF EK want in they WILL find a way. Remember Last year at this time there seemed little chance of EKK in YYZ, now they already have a sign up on the highway directing drivers to Terminal 1.
Does that mean that they now have the goverment's approval?
Because governments negotiate bilateral aviation agreements.
Quoting Emirates773ER (Reply 6): Does that mean that they now have the goverment's approval?
They always had approval for three frequencies (actually, they could have had six per week, but Etihad took three of six available frequencies under the Canada-UAE bilateral). For many years EK demanded daily service up front and the Canadian government said fly three frequencies first, then we'll talk. Finally, EK has decided to do that. It launches next month with three frequencies.
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21495 posts, RR: 24 Reply 8, posted (5 years 8 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 2044 times:
Quoting YOWza (Reply 5): As for 10-across seating, I doubt they would do that on a YYC run. More than likely they would switch to a less dense configuration.
I highly doubt they would do that for one isolated route in their worldwide network. Much of the oil-related traffic would be in the premium cabins anyway, not in the back of the bus. Most Y class traffic would be low-yield connecting passengers destined to India and other markets beyond DXB, like most of their traffic on all routes, where low fares are the main attraction. It's EK's ability to cram them in 10-abreast on 777s that often permits them to offer the lowest fares in many longhaul 6th freedom markets.
YOWza From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 4781 posts, RR: 17 Reply 9, posted (5 years 8 months 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1951 times:
Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 8): I highly doubt they would do that for one isolated route in their worldwide network.
My mistake. I assumed that since EK had two configurations (2 and 3 class) for their 773-ULRs that one of those configurations would be along the line of the 345 serving JFK, namely 8 across in Y.
While 10 across is no picnic I have flown EK in Y many, many times and it has not been that bad. Of course none of my trips to date have been the stage length of YYZ-DXB...
All things considered EK in Y direct is better than many of the other options. You mentioned the South Asia market. Well consider this:
YYZ-Europe-DXB-South Asia
- Hassle of transfer in Europe for non-Canadians/Europeans
- Congestion at Euro-hub airports leading to greater chance of delays and missed flights etc
- More stops = more chances to lose luggage
- Less daunting for UMs and elderly. You would be surprised at how many of these I see traveling this route alone.
Pnwtraveler From Canada, joined Jun 2007, 2046 posts, RR: 12 Reply 10, posted (5 years 8 months 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1926 times:
When talking about the service starting to YYZ, the head of Emirates said they wanted to go to daily immediately. Advance booking must be good. They have been wanting daily for a long time but you are right they were holding off starting any flights. I think Etihad coming into YYZ first caused them to change their mind.
DavidYYC From Canada, joined Sep 2004, 238 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (5 years 7 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 1619 times:
It would be a treat to see EK here, I somehow doubt it but would be pleasantly surprised. The 10 abreast is not so bad having done it from LGW to JNB via DXB. The aircraft are truly beautiful, amazing entertainment, excellant service and food, makes up for rubbing shoulders with someone next to me. Legroom is not too bad. Despite the slightly more cramped arrangements the whole experience knocks spots off AC and their grumpy cabin staff, and ancient 767s and aging A330.
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