I can't see the Government wanting to link all the airports up and I can't see Peel and BAA working together!
What is going to happen:
1. The government are going to pass through the LHR new 'East' terminal and 3rd runway.
2. The airport will continue to grow from next summer with more TATL flights with larger aircraft and short hauls (ie CDG, AMS etc.) being cut down as airlines co-operate with their slots.
3. More slots will be released by BAA when the runways change operations and also wait and see how many slots go to BA, BMI and VS! They will certainly get their fair share - if not more!
4. LHR will continue to grow and will probably be the first to pass the 100million mark in passenger numbers and will remain the world hub whatever UAE hierarchy try to do. The reason for this is that Europe, USA and Far East (the future world epicentres) are well within reach of each other non-stop and with LHR slap bang in the middle (and the Pacific on the other side) there will only be one place to transit through! Especially if the airport is completely different as expected by 2020.
2020: 'Welcome to LHR - The global hub of the global city of London.' This is while the rest of the UK is ran by FR and EZY!