not really MUFC_fan, as the case with Air India proves.
Its ATQ-BHX-YYZ services were very popular and had good yeilds, as said so by AI themselves, but the route was transferred to LHR to protect slots.
I think that shows exactly what I mean, as AI would rather the pax travel to LHR than BHX, and no doubt the decision was made much easier for AI due to the ease of getting to LHR from BHX.
Why do they want them to fly to LHR?
The lure of LHR and NRT is unique compared to any other airports in the world:
Continental’s $209m Heathrow slots - Times Online
757s fly in those slots...
LHR has the connecting traffic, it has BMI, it has LH, it has UA, it has CO, it has US, it has AC - the connections are endless.
At the end of the day it is about money - airlines aren't charities...