Yes, 100% agree. They're all short term shareholder focussed, which in this particular sector of owning major (public) infrastructure isn't the best model.
Very few countries have sold off their airports, most are publicly owned and publicly operated (e.g. USA), others publicly owned and privately operated on a concession/licence basis.
Bring back BAA, make LHR a 6 runway mega airport and let LGW & STN rot.
Perhaps NYC is the way forward where a 'Port Authority' run it in the interest of UK Plc?
A port authority would run
all the airports as is the case in New York. Of course LHR needs to be a mega airport, 4 rwys would suffice, and could just about be fitted in, regretably there isn't room for 6. Maybe use NHT to replicate the SEN/STN role in the Thames Valley.
No need for LGW, STN, and the rest to be left to rot, they all have a role to play in the south east England airports system.
Were LHR not where it is geographically that would be a good plan.
If such a plan were being considered then best location would probably be STN and turn LHR and LTN over to housing and commerce.
Not going to happen though!
Not going to happen because it is a dreadful idea, ESPECIALLY as airports are privately owned businesses. Hell would freeze over before the owners of LHR would close the airport and sell it for housing and say goodbye to all that profit, and compulsory purchase would be a serious vote-losing use of public money.
LHR is in exactly the right place which is probably why carriers want to be there and pay eye-wateringly high prices for slots on the secondary slot market.