It's a great achievement for LBA to attract a LHR service and I really hope the route is a success! However, once the 787 and A380 arrive and BA are granted access to airport capacity in China then these flights will disappear. Shame for the airport I know.
Anyone who understands airline economics will know that longhaul far exceeds shorthaul on a return-on-investment basis for a carrier like BA. Airports such as AMS, FRA and CDG are all supporting new, regional Chinese (and other far east destinations) services for which LHR has a long wait list for.
MAN, LBA and RTM (potentially) are all slot-sitter services ex LHR.
However, I really hope LBA take full advantage of this service and work together with BA to maximise the potential, however long the route may operate.