What eggc said. If LHR gets R3 I expect Easy would maintain LGW as their biggest base, but would establish a smaller base at LHR cherry-picking some of the more profitable routes from there.
And I've always thought R3 at LHR is a double edged sword for BA. Yes they would get a share of the resulting extra slots for expansion. But the value of their existing slots would be diminished, while their existing competition like Emirates and others would also get more slots, as would a number of possible new and lower cost entrants. Would IAG still control over 50% of slots at a three runway LHR ? The last thing they probably want is a flock of orange tails diluting their yields at LHR, not to mention maybe red noses and others
Certainly with their various other airline acquisitions IAG seem to be setting themselves up in case of a no decision on R3 at LHR. Looking at the history of the last 50 years its still entirely possible the next lot of pollies will decide to ignore Davies and do neither LHR or LGW ! That would be a shame.
Last edited by Logohu; 31st Jan 2015 at 01:28.
Reason: typo