Does anyone know a rough figure of how many LHR slots BA actually owns? Due to the size of their operation out of there I bet it is a right monopoly. And I guess it opens up the question; why is Heathrow such a popular base for airlines? These days more and more airports are looking desirable with improved transport links and so on, the only real difference I can see compared to the likes of Gatwick / Luton / Stansted is that it is on the tube.