I have no issue with Heathrow attempting to market their services in the NWest, its no different to MAG advertising on the London Underground, I do however see it as something of a failure of communication on MAGs part that this organisation seemingly sees Heathrow as the natural entry/exit point for the UK.
It
is the natural entry/exit point for the UK to/from countries that can only support one route to the UK, if there are more, then other UK airports come into the equation, usually starting with Ringway.
FairDealFrank
Always enjoy your posts and you are clearly as passionate a supporter of Heathrow as I am with regard Manchester !
Thank you
Bagso, but in fairness, am a supporter of all UK airports,
including Ringway. Want to see the aviation industry prosper and really don't see it as either/or. Also believe that Heathrow expansion is critical for the UK, good for all UK airports, and it doesn't harm Gatwick.
There is a constant theme of connectivity to the regions which LHR also champion in there adverts.
Given that Virgin have just axed various "trunk" routes to Heathow where does that leave the domestic connectivity debate ?
Clearly this is needed, it is ludicrous that only 7 UK airports are linked to Heathrow.
As for VS, think it's a pity that it hasn't worked, but it wasn't widely advertised or promoted. My impression is that VS's heart wasn't really in it (VS did not take up the full allocation of slots) and it was a case of going through the motions to deny something to BA: another 9 slot pairs.
Do we assume that this connectivity has to be introduced by BA ?
Are they going to invest in a short haul fleet on what to me appears to be a punt ?
Would have said not, apart from INV or JER perhaps. BA doesn't have small enough planes for the thin routes. Think it would be a job for smaller carriers, BD reg, BE, or T3 perhaps, with some sort of through-ticketing/code-sharing arrangements with BA, VS, and/or other carriers.
They seem lukewarm with regards to RW3 anyway as their market share generally will reduce considerably, what we have we hold might be the mantra, so who exactly picks up that mantle, FlyBe or a new entrant ?
No, BA are not lukewarm to another rwy, it need more slots. BA also need its flights to be able to arrive/depart on time, and not to waste fuel and time queing to take off and stacking to land.
If/when(?) another rwy opens the airport goes from operating at 99% capactity to 67% at a stroke. This means free slots for all, incuding BA and VS, and for as many other carriers that want them.
Would expect to see a U2 presence (taking on BA) and the likes of BD reg, BE, or T3 on the thinner routes.
And what of these "unserved regions"
Liverpool - KLM connected a "Global hub" 3 times day recently , the service last barely 18 months.
Teeside - Do you go head to head with KLM ? Given that the cost base does not support charters, it does beg the question as to the long term viability of even this route, so would LHR be dooable ?
Humberside - Again do you go head to head with KLM ?
Heathrow Airport Ltd. appear to believe so.
MPs from up and down the country want their areas connected, and these votes would be necessary to get any legislation through. BA, VS and others need the feed for their long haul flights.
From Heathrow Airport Ltd. publication “Connecting Regions”:
“A third runway will allow more flights to destinations such as Exeter, Liverpool, Newquay, Jersey, Inverness, Isle of Man and Humberside will give regional passengers more choice over routes and fares.”
Page 14 of the Heathrow Airport Ltd. publication “Taking Britain Further” shows a map of existing and possible future domestic connections. The latter includes CWL, EXT, HUY, INV, JER, LPL, NQY.
The first list includes IOM, the map CWL, the other airports are on both the list and the map.
Have to admit, wasn't expecting HUY to be on the list, nor CWL on the map, and surprised not to see GCI, MME and NWI.
One thing Heathrow could offer pax at small regional airports over and above connections to the world is a link to London (important in our centralised country) and to the many businesses located in the Thames Valley. Being able to offer all of these would make thin routes viable.
Hope you like them!