BA have never really had any interest in the regions other than a token to show face, they are more for forcing them through Fortress London.
Ian this is what I mean. People take it personally. Let me try and be dispassionate for a minute. BA used to be a state controlled virtual monopoly. This is the reason that they had a legacy presence outside London. They still struggle with the cost base of their cabin crew as a result. See the BA vs BASSA thread to see what I mean.
The only place BA ever made real money was Heathrow. Commercially, there was little business case for capital investment of new equipment outside of LHR. Even LGW is stuck with classic B737s.
It's got nothing to do with loyalty. BA has been a PLC for over two decades.