Originally Posted by
Tinpusher007
Well then that would pretty much make it an empty threat, would it not???
The Sheik found out it was an empty threat with regard to Airbus because he found out that not even Airbus can change the European legislators desire to maintain "Fortress Europe." It's not at all an empty threat regarding US politicians because ours are for sale. And yes I understand that it is the American people's fault for tolerating it.
Originally Posted by
Tinpusher007
Who would he buy airplanes from??? Admittedly I dont know everything about this business, but Boeing and Airbus sell airplanes.
Easy. He'll buy airplanes from Airbus to keep Boeing honest. He'll buy airplanes from Boeing depending upon how well Boeing does his political lobbying to get him his access to the world's largest air transport market.
Originally Posted by
Tinpusher007
They dont have the power to grant access to their respective countries via route authorities.
Of course not. Kingdoms generally aren't interested in people trying to bribe them. Thus Kingdoms decide their own route authorities...the kingdom's airlines listen.
Originally Posted by
Tinpusher007
The CEO of Qatar Airways was also quoted as saying he was point blank "not interested in the 777X" and then he ordered a bunch recently at the Dubai Air Show. He later admitted his previous comments were designed to throw off the media. Your current CEO many moons ago said he was not returning to the airline industry to orchestrate a merger between DL and NW. He also said all hubs would remain after the merger. Hmmmm... Fear not Carl, the sky isn't falling.
All good points, and that's why it's important to see if the talk matches the walk. In this case, the dots connect perfectly from what I see. The Sheik makes a threat. Boeing is heavily lobbying Congress and White House. US pilot unions ALL state that foreign ownership and cabotage is their biggest pushback from Congress right now.
Carl