EU issues
I find it interesting, though frankly not surprising, that this UK centred discussion should be so light on the EU-rules aspect of this a-priori illegal state aid; unless it fully meets with the EU rules, that is.
Especially given quite how influential subsidies, especially by regional governments or municipalities around the EU have been in the enormous transformation of the European airline industry over the past 15 years or so.
And how inconsistently the EU has monitored still less "policed" these subsidies.
Not to mention how well some airlines have played the subsidy game to the very considerable benefit of their long term financial bottom line.