BA which by "any definition" is the dominant
By which?
Revenue?
Destinations?
Pension fund deficit?
Selective memory time, when IAG was created, Iberia was in better shape.
Anyhoo, the purchase of Vueling and the duplication of IB Express is curious. I wonder if the scenario is to close short haul and roll it into a merged Vueling / IB Express operation on much lower costs than Iberia legacy.
Passengers want direct feed not links by multiple hubs. Passengers in say NI or Scotland are expecetd to get on a shuttle to LHR then another to Madrid then another to S America ?
Only if they feel the need to fly BA. A much better option may be to connect over FRA/CDG/AMS, whereas BA will have better one stop options to the USA.
Iberia have already tried tying GLA into the MAD hub with Air Nostrum, it lasted a few months and was axed. It's not for want of trying.