Blue sky thinking! Why do BA (& BD) shuttle passengers to LHR to connect with long haul flights? Heathrow is congested & other carriers are fighting for slots there. So why not shuttle the opposite way and develop international routes from Man? Include Stanstead in this idea (huge N.E. London and East Anglia catchment area) avoiding grief of crossing London by road or train. I recognise that Manchester's own catchment area isn't sufficient to attract many long haul operations at present but provide it as an attractive alternative and actively market connections to Southampton, the south west of England, Scotland & Ireland as well as those insular folk south of Watford. The CAA, BAA & Government are sadly obsessed with London
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