If R3 opened today - we would still not be able to compete. That is because the tipping point of customer understanding, acceptance, tolerance etc. was passed about ten years (arbitrary figure it was somewhere in the last 20 years.)
A very good point sir, really. However T5 still blows me away, and that word IS spreading. It will take time, but a Hell of a lot of good work has been done since the shameful BALLS UP on day one.
My concern is that we try and give our UK companies the best access to the world, and bring more jobs in difficult times.
It's actually very important that Runway 3 is a managed growth as BAA are keen to get this one right after so many past mistakes. I reiterate that the ability of BA or BMI to re-introduce flights to connect the UK to LHR are very important. A deal to reconnect the likes of Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Inverness and some smaller airports would be a boon!