Isn't it a little odd? BA, CX, JL, NH etc will already know who is flying on their existing long haul operations out of LHR, FRA, MUC etc from the MAN area, some will be ex LH, BA starting their journey at MAN today. Hence the market intelligence is already largely in place? Perhaps just MAG generating some
PR and column inches, and why not at that?
Japan still hasn't really bounced back IMHO. Only issue with JAL or ANA might be a lack of onward feed in MAN as it's not a Oneworld or STAR hub but having said that, Cathay powered back in doing very well so who knows?