Heathrow Harry the route is nearly as strong in the winter as it is in the summer a nd people just do not want a 6hr drive in each direction for a business trip, I used to work in business travel and have a pretty good idea of what peoples requirements are .
Many business pax don`t fly business class now anyway and there isn`t business class on Flybe domestic products and looking at the fares which are holding up very well out of the
holiday season.
I think you will find that most business travelers come to Manchester as it is as quick to to Manchester with it`s multi daily schedules rather than struggle to LBA as it is far better connected by rail/motorways, The North East is a different case and is struggling
Glasgow/Edinburgh quite well served
Ian