JAS, the danger is that FR will just wipe WX out. If a hub is the issue, and if the cited figures are correct, then 90,000 pax p.a. used the LHR for connections. How many of these are business trips, and how many are leisure. This is not a huge market, and given that WX has a C Class bias, they would need to capture all of these pax. It wouldn't take FR long to flood the BVA route with flights cheaper than WX, and mop up all the non corporate market. I dont know what the solution here is.
I dont believe that EI would consider re-instating the SNN-LHR route, without decimating the staff numbers in Shannon.
This is the crux of the problem. Shannon Ground Ops is essentially a 2 shift operation, yet after lunchtime, there are only 2 flghts to be looked after, with a full compliment of staff. Without the LHR, it will have no requirement for staff after the NAT Departures each day. This is where the savings are to be made.
AMS/FRA/CDG would be recognised as major Euro Hubs. The first 2 do not have, as yet, a proximate FR service to take traffic from any prospective service provider.
Maybe there just isnt a market for it!