I've always thought that LGW could be turned into a 'rival' hub to LHR, in similar fashion to JFK/Newark in NY.
It would take Govt to improve the transport links into London, but a spur to the HS1 line would be relatively simple from there and in 2019 agreement could be got for a second runway.
If I'm not mistaken there are already some Chinese airlines offering direct routes from LGW to Asia, if someone like Virgin could be convinced to become an 'anchor tenant' at a new improved LGW then it could provide proper competition to BA's transatlantic routes. It could even sell some of its highly prized LHR slots to fund the expansion (though not to BA, of course!)
NB this isnt an alternative to RW3 at LHR by the way, I still think that is a necessity that needs approval ASAP, but a genuine rival to LHR at LGW could only be a good thing for passengers?!
Last edited by Libertine Winno; 30th August 2012 at 15:17.