A risky precedent set by the Executive to support a thin route that perhaps shuoldn't exist, in contrast to reaching elsewhere in North America or perhaps Mid-Eastwards. And if BA started 'pondering' again about more profitable use of their Heathrow slots or aircraft, would the Executive be able to find another £9 million to help them think it over...?
Re: KLM and Brussels, agreed that money was rather shiftily moved to them via public agencies but those are route-development funds just like UAL had many years ago. If they come back looking for more money after that then I think we can draw a parallel, but not before.