bycrewlgw. The problem with profit for BA at Gatwick was the seasonality of the most of the short haul route network. I believe long haul from Gatwick has been profitable for a number of years. Some of the
long haul destinations served continue to be very lucrative. Short haul was profitable in the summer, but made losses in the winter owing to the seasonal nature of the operation. In recent years years they tried to overcome
this by increasing Winter Sports destinations, the Christmas markets and increased flying for ski operators and the Lapland charters. However these were not enough. You had enough staff for the summer but too many for the winter.
If BA Gatwick had been allowed to compete with the BA Heathrow operation in terms of routes, there may have been less of a seasonal issue.
If an European route became too successful it went back to Heathrow. Examples are Bologna in Italy, Luxembourg and Barcelona.(Barcelona was a split operation for a while then went back to being solely Heathrow). Some destinations could support duel operation such as Amsterdam and some domestics. Geneva could have worked all year round at Gatwick but was only allowed to operate there from December to April (Ski season) to prevent dilution of the Heathrow yields.
I believe the 'new' short haul operation allows for more seasonal contracts for crews and ground staff that should help reduce/avoid the winter losses. For example, full time employment in the Summer, maybe 50% in the winter, plus other combinations. We shall have to see how things develop.
Seasonal variation has been less of an issue for the long haul operation. Less Florida for example could be made up in Winter by more to the Caribbean and destinations like Mauritius and at one time Male.