Does it not work that the company with he slots (BA/IAG) have to agree to give up those slots for that particular route to any competitor that wishes to enter the market? Therefore if no airline comes forward the slots are not given up. I believe this is what happened when Lufti took over Brussels airlines. Slots offered on 4 routes, 2 years later no airline had taken up the slots and they went back to lufti. The slots certainly won't be forced onto any airline. Correct me (I am sure someone will) if I am wrong.
