no one in their right mind would set up a new short haul operation ex-LHR. You need the long haul network to support the short haul and no one has a sizable enough one of those, not even VS.
Well said, this is key. Everything else is BLAH! The actual routes on which real competition issues arise on the London airports with BA buying BD are tiny! Too many still see BD as the competitor with BA they were as British Midland, that airlines has not existed for over a decade. BD is
niche.