If Flybe are going to enter fantasy land, surely they could propose nonstop flights between Heathrow and bothe Orkney and Shetland as well
Most of them. .. maybe; probably. But Doncaster and Norwich???
Not as silly as it sounds to some. BE are building up a network at LCY with some destinations that many would not have predicted, and have applied to use Northolt to do similar on a smaller scale, but that was rejected.
There is also the liklihood that with increased expense, congestion, overcrowding and hassle of surface transport, domestic air travel will be increasing attractive and convenient, especially for those not going city centre to city centre and/or those connecting to/from overseas destinations.
With a third rwy at Heathrow, slots are allocated 50% to new carriers and 50% to incumbents. The secondary slot market that keeps carriers out of Heathrow diappears. Beyond that, much would depend on Heathrow airport charges and whether some routes could be operated on a PSO basis or supported by the Regional Airport Connectivity Fund (there'll also be no EU interference by then).
Also, BE has exactly the right sized aircraft to operate these thinner domestic routes. The BE map shows none of trunk routes operated by BA (and previously also operated by BD). Maybe it is leaving those routes to U2 with its larger aircraft, as U2 also supports Heathrow expansion and has stated that it would have a base there. Could see stiff competition for BE from BA and/or U2 on the Jersey route, but not on the others.
As for Norwich, perhaps not so daft as it may sound at first glance, surface connections between there and Heathrow are difficult. Surprised not see Newquay on the list considering the word "potential" was used on the map.
As the word "potential"is used on the map, maybe all those routes won't materialise. Some of the airports may have closed, if not, a Heathrow link would be a vital lifeline.
Nevertheless, like the look of it, hope to live long enough........