If the long term aim is to develop Heathrow as a hub for VS.DL you have to start somewhere and VS/DL and possibly AF/KL will have deep pockets for that - especially where it invades territory potentially important, but not well served by a competitor (LH group) for long haul. What VS/DL will not have deep pockets for is supporting point to point traffic in the UK which historically has never turned a profit and probably never will. It will be interesting to see what fares will be charged to long haul passengers connecting from DUS over LHR - probably less than LHR originators.