Lufty dont want to subsidise BMI. Thay have enough cash from the cookie jar they prised from Mr Bishop's cold clammy hand to fund the losses till spring...ish.
Ergo they will seek to unload it by then.
BA have the dosh to do it, thanks to the vote of confidence in Willie's strategy from the City.
Virgin are dead in the water and cant afford to buy, even if they had a use for the slots, which they dont as they are suffering a crippling battle on the world's most oversubscribed routes, hence SIA's desire to unload their 49% share.
BA have warmed up the Iberia deal, and AA is waiting in the wings.
What will be the price of these mergers?
Answer....you must give up lots of LHR slots.
By chance....after purchase of BMI......who might have those slots to spare??
And of course...still plenty left over to absorb the traffic when BA finally quit LGW, also releasing crew on cheaper contract terms to transfer to LHR, although this last supposition might be precluded by Union agreements???
All of the above is pure rumours and speculation.
Awaiting flak.