Originally Posted by
HOODED
Despite being from the North I would like to see R3 at LHR. Never flown from MAN but have from LBA LTN LGW LHR BHX STN. For longer flights like a lot from Yorkshire I prefer AMS or even CDG to trogging across to MAN. Whilst LBA now has BA to LHR I haven't used it due to flight timings. This is precisely what R3 could fix. There are 2 early flights ex LBA to AMS a Jet 2 and a KLM this is where most folks go for Long Haul connections and LBA isn't alone. LHR as a proper hub could easily mop up most of these pax if the connections from all the regions were available. Bring on R3 and let's fly the flag.
With the best will in the world, that is simply no justification for the level of taxpayer subsidy for an airport that is a private company.
That money (however much it is it is clearly vast) could better serve UK plc elsewhere.