Emirates (airline) slams restrictions by Canada

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090603/wl_can...WlyYXRlc3NsYW0-

Emirates slams "ludicrous" Canadian restrictions

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Dubai's Emirates airline slammed "ludicrous" Canadian restrictions on Wednesday that limit the largest Arab carrier to just three weekly flights to the entire country.

Transport Canada says that if the airline were allowed any more flights, it would hurt national carrier Air Canada and its international partners. Emirates currently flies only to Toronto.

"The notion that a few extra flights a week to a destination that the national carrier doesn't even choose to serve will have any type of impact on their bottom line is clearly ludicrous," said Emirates President Tim Clark, calling the limits "protectionism of the worst kind".

Factoid: Pearson is Canada's busiest airport, and may not have anymore timeslots to give. Plus, some of the partners actually may fly to UAE

Clark told the Economic Club of Canada that boosting Emirates flights would increase tourism and trade at a time of economic crisis.

"Opportunities are being missed simply because the transport options are not there," said Clark, saying load factors on the three flights were around 95 percent.

He said the airline would also like to fly to Calgary and Vancouver.

Emirates drew headline on Monday when the airline's 486-seat Airbus A380 super-jumbo made its maiden scheduled flight to Toronto's Pearson International Airport from Dubai.

[Marina-Del 10]

That's completely ridiculous. The Emirates guy is right, if they have more flights to and from Canada to Dubai, I cannot see how that would hurt Canada. Maybe it would hurt Air Canada's pockets, but is that a good enough reason?

[Nagishkaw 510]

What a royal air farce!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

That's completely ridiculous. The Emirates guy is right, if they have more flights to and from Canada to Dubai, I cannot see how that would hurt Canada. Maybe it would hurt Air Canada's pockets, but is that a good enough reason?

By extension (as part-owner), Canadian government's pockets as well (but Canadian government also owns airports, and can charge landing fees.

(but Canada's governments are known for doing "internal punishments" for provinces which don't support them, while none will be quick to deny favours to Ontario or Quebec due to their combined electoral majority)

[The_Dude 1,142]

Because it's the Canadian government's job to promote diversity within the industry. Just like the U.S. restricts flights from foreign carriers.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

What a royal air farce!

Good one Nagi!!!

[Heracles 417]

Emirates is one of my favorite airlines. They are easy to describe. Think of the US airlines, now think of the complete opposite in terms of service and comfort. The flight attendants are even young an not some old bitter hags.

[Ban Hammer 14,569]

why does canada hate arabs?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Because it's the Canadian government's job to promote diversity within the industry. Just like the U.S. restricts flights from foreign carriers.

Eh, I love the way they did their job with regards to Canadian Airlines International (defunct, now part of Air Canada group).