Relatives of mine visited their local tarvel agents in Ramsbottom for a 4 day break in NY
"No problem shuttle to LHR followed by service to NY"
"but can,t we go direct from EGCC?"
"can you?"
OF COURSE YOU CAN!!!
A long time ago, a senior BA manager said to me NEVER will BA take away the lime light from LHR , this is the MECCA for BA, nothing detracts us from what we do at LHR!!
Its simple POLITICS POLITICS POLITICS.
Staff at ticketing, travel agents etc are simply told to sell tickets ex LHR simple as that!