How closely does the British government guard slots into Heathrow
Enginefireleft
Careful on that argument. I think that British airways being the main operator at that airport has a MAJOR influence on slots (they own around 42%)
The BMIs and the Virgins in the past have moaned big time about BA and their card shuffling use of slots at LHR.
British Airways Flying Empty 747s To Keep Those Precious Heathrow Slots Open! Barbados Free Press
Even BMI are not averse to it themselves
Planes ‘fly empty’ to keep slots at Heathrow -Times Online
The British government would have very little say on this issue given the political blowout it would cause.
I was told earlier in this debate that the GTAA would not do anything to p*** off their major customer (Air Canada) by stating a preference for increased A380s flights (even though in my opinion that would make business sense for them with increased passenger throughput)....so other govts and Airport operators are likely to do the same...in this case the British govt will do nothing to protect slots...they leave that up to the airlines.
Willie
Your posts are always well reasoned but I have to disagree with one statement you make
You talk about a level playing field and free competition and consumer choice. I wholeheartedly agree with this approach but unfortunately, it isn't feesible at present in light of what's going on with EK. They've created the uneven playing field and some nations are simply clever enough to figure that out
The uneven playing field you speak of WAS initially created by the legacy carriers. I still maintain my argument from before. BA, Air Canada, KLM etc got to where they were through an uneven playing field. When you are almost a monopoly carrier you automatically have a greater cost advantage than startup competition. The industry is littered with "failed" airlines because they could not compete or were swallowed up...or fell foul of "sharp" business practices from the big boys (undercutting fares for example?)
The playing field was always uneven...just different rules now with the Middle east getting involved.