Interesting discussion.
But I would like to ask a specific question about the bi-laterals, about which I think a lot of hot air is spouted.
These were a problem in the 1980s when Margaret Thatcher had to intervene personally to allow flights to MAN by SQ and AA - which still operate to this day. The world of bi-lateral restrictions has moved on dramatically since those days.
The Question:
Can anyone provide a single example of an airline that wants to operate to Manchester (or any other airport outside London) that is being prevented from doing so by a 'bi-lateral' ??