Manfredj From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1132 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 911 times:
It's been all over A-Net, and most agree that the Middle East carriers are building their fleets up to unprecidented levels...and for what reason? An analyst a few months ago speculated that areas like Baharain are investing heavily in their cities, turning them into tourists attractions so when the oil runs out, money can still be made. Makes sense that with an increase in tourists, airplanes will be needed to carry them.
But with the recent news of QR and it's aim to purchase more 380's, I think we can all agree that overkill seems to be the case here. So what's everyone's view? I personally think it's a disaster in the waiting. Yes, Emirates has more money than most countries, and the cost of fuel is under 1$ a gallon. However, at some point, the fleet will outgrow the demand for passengers and cheap fuel will only get you so far.
MaverickM11 From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 15722 posts, RR: 47 Reply 1, posted (5 years 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 907 times:
Quoting Manfredj (Thread starter): However, at some point, the fleet will outgrow the demand for passengers and cheap fuel will only get you so far.
It's not cheap fuel. As you mentioned, when you pour billions of dollars into your city and infrastructure and make it very easy to do business, you can make any city appealing enough to become a huge draw, thus filling planes. If a 150 degree sandbox can do it, any city can do it, opposition aside . The question is what happens when, if ever, the government spending slows or stops.
Jfk777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 7342 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (5 years 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 888 times:
Emirates has built a commercial enterprise much to teh chagrin of BA, Cathay, SIA, Qantas and Lufthansa. Etihad based in Abu Dhabi just 70 miles from Dubai begs of imitaion, Malaysia can tell you how that works. Qatar is playing catch up, it will be smaller then Emirates but a force to be dealt with.
Manfredj From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1132 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 867 times:
Quoting Jfk777 (Reply 2): Qatar is playing catch up, it will be smaller then Emirates but a force to be dealt with.
What about the bodies that govern airports in the Middle East. Will they play fair in the future, or only allow themselves to have the best time slots/gates.
Thestooges From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (5 years 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 843 times:
Well the three home airports of Emirates, Etihad and Qatar are all excellently placed to become extremely effective hubs between Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia/ Australia.
The fact that Emirates flies from Newcastle and Qatar from Berlin shows that these airlines have not underestimated the geographical potential of their hubs and are using them to develop extensive links between small to medium size markets to both the east and west. They are quickly becoming the Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas' of the Middle East and it's this connectivity factor that will most likely be filling all those new aircraft, not people flying to the Emirates or Qatar for a holiday !!!
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From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1132 posts, 
. The question is what happens when, if ever, the government spending slows or stops.
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