Jay Sata
So are those the only routes that your ex Air UK Captain buddy operated, ABZ and AMS.
Back in the day Air UK operated a NWI/LHR route, a NWI/MME route, NWI/EDI, NWI/HUY, weekend CI routes were popular, not just ABZ and AMS, these other routes were surrendered as a result of Air UK becoming KLM UK whereas only AMS was focused upon.
Get a 3rd runway at LHR and I can envisage that becoming a route, these east coast operators are trying some of the old Air UK routes, the IT routes that seem to be increasing, allbeit slowly, year on year, thanks to Air UK, and Air Anglia before it, KLM has a maintenance base at NWI that brings in rent, landing, parking fees etc., the list goes on, it's far from all about AMS & Helicopters!