"BA" (IAG) made a very strong pitch to HMG to over APD, especially the Carib/W Coast anomaly... and must have had some hope that it might get addressed.
I believe the recent "pilot moves" bid process was based on these 3 747s flying, and their (possible) withdrawal will affect this, and all the way down to recruitment.
I would also offer the fact that there is no such legal entity as "British Airways". That is only in effect a brand / sub-section of IAG. If IAG want to expand / contract in overall terms, it has the option of 2 hubs at which to effect this. Their whinge at APD in the UK can mean more than just "our business cannot grow", it just gives them the excuse to shift said expansion to MAD, and blame HMG as a bonus
