When many airports are restricted by the number or airplane movements (takeoffs and landings), then transporting more passengers requires bigger planes. It was

When many airports are restricted by the number or airplane movements (takeoffs and landings), then transporting more passengers requires bigger planes. It was not a stupid plan. It works well for Emirates, Etihad, Turkish etc. - they fly from everywhere to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul resp., and depending on the traffic in big or small planes. So you basically get anywhere with 2 hops.