BLK-STN was a winner before.
The problems that occured were that the return flight in the evening was too late for the main type of passenger - business travellers.
A) The MAN-LGW figures were better than the current NCL-LGW figures and LS were quick to pull that route.
B) LS would have no competition on the LON route unlike at MAN and NCL where BA fly plus BMI, VLM, AB, VLM etc.
C) LS make a profit on the BLK-BFS route which averages at 65% on the load factor. If LS were to carry similar numbers on an LGW flight as FR did on the STN then it would average at about 70% per flight.
NCL may stay as the LGW destination but what are LS going to do if the NCL is pulled? Give up their great slot times at LGW?
They are going to do something with them - who knows, maybe LBA-LGW! EDI and BFS are already heavily served from LON with BA, EI, BE, BMI, FR, EZY, AB(for now) AF etc. so there are two options - fight BMI at LBA or take BLK which is scouting an airline for the route?