I see that Etihad will introduce their new A380 by serving Heathrow first.
It's appears to have become a tradition.
Started by EK, QF and SQ a few years ago.
Heathrow airport will tell the Airports Commission later this month that there “may be a case for introducing a congestion charge” for people travelling to the airport.
Had gotten the impression that this was:
(1) a drop off/pick up charge; and
(2) it was way into the future, after the third rwy was in use (so more than likely never!).
If it is going to be implemented, (and other airports do it), it would need to be after the public transport improvements have been completed, especially from the south. Also, the first ten minutes needs to be free.