Cargo 1
I don't think there are any issues on aircraft/crew safety during overnight stay, Moscow is not Kinshasa or Baghdad...
Sorry to differ. I speak as someone who flies for BA, and that is what I have been told.
DME might not be Kinshasa or Baghdad, but it would require precautions in place for the full duration of the time the aircraft is on the ground - and that IS an issue.
I don't doubt that it is primarily POLITICAL- ie SU don't want to lose J-class traffic on the route, palms will need greasing undoubtedly, and BA are usually very anti that sort of thing. Crew needing Visas etc is just another obstacle that is being put in the way of the route development by Russia.
I dare say if SU lost their nightstopping rights in LHR they might come back to the table to talk!