Originally Posted by
116d
The message is they've pulled out of LGW with immediate effect, but they hinted at a potential return in the future as they said they would retain their slots. They cited customer demand, but in reality it's anybody's guess when they will return. It could be within the next 3 years, within this decade or never at all.
Yes, that was the impression I got as well, in which case, a return to LGW further down the line is indeed possible and not being ruled out. In fact, it does seem plausible if VS wanted to expand frequencies on some of the more business-heavy destinations from LHR - JFK, IAD, LAX, SEA just to name a few, once the market stabilises and recovers. If that were the case, and LHR becomes maxed out again (which it will do at some point), then it makes sense for VS to shift the Caribbean/leisure network back to LGW where it has historically always been based when the time comes. Clearly they haven't totally given up on LGW just yet otherwise they wouldn't be hanging on to their slots. Only time will tell.