Why would any serious new business turning their nose up at EMA want to got to MAN badly enough that they'd need to go through hoops getting main deck loading equipment and apply for slots? Boxes don't have a preference and so long as the charging regime isn't wildly misaligned, then what's the business driver?
What serious operator is asking for access to MAN? Or if it's ad-hoc cargo, why bother? LGW doesn't have any, not one. MAN has real issues supporting the existing passenger operation within the existing infrastructure, adding ad-hoc cargo charters into the mix vs. the costs involved isn't worth pursuing. I think what this really comes down to, and I understand this, is a wish to go back to the glory days. Regain MAN's "rightful place" and see Cathay and various Chinese heavy tails all lined up unloading.
Heart over head surely?