So, based on the "new" entrant senario, couldn't easyJet use easyJet Europe to apply for the slots?

Because there is no EasyJet Europe, EasyJet recently obtained an Austrian AOC it's still EasyJet.

Well what's this then?

easyJet Europe Airline GmbH.

Similar set up to easyJet Switzerland

Both part of the easyJet Group. No different to IAG's different airlines.

But would that still actually include them as 'new entrants'?

Easy has a similar structure to Wizz now - we could see Wizz Air UK, Wizz Air Hungary and Wizz Air Ukraine soon...

Norwegian already have all the slots they need for their planned long haul operation out of LGW, I doubt that EasyJet will be bothered either, the demise of Monarch has already pushed up prices and yield for other based airlines.

BA may well be interested as a spoiler against Norwegian but they are unlikely to use the dream liner and that has a cost advantage over the 777 & 330

Heathrow is pretty close to full (unless you want to pay big piles of cash) for slots, with no prospect of change for many years
Why would Easyjet, be it through their UK, Swiss or Austrian subsidiary not choose to grab some Gatwick slots ?
BA after all have long had a policy of buying Heathrow slots and it has served them well - Easyjet should consider a similiar policy

Monarchs slots won't be sold after all. They've now reverted to the slot pool. Now we wait to see who pounces on them...

So Ryanair seems to be giving up the Belfast route, transferring it to Stansted. Is that more slots becoming available as well as Monarch?

Not quite. The Court's judgement is to be appealed, so no pouncing just yet.

Virgin
 

I see that Virgin start Barbados flights from Heathrow next month. Is this the start of a gradual erosion of remaining services from Gatwick?

I very much doubt it. More like VS ensuring they aren't wasting their (mortgaged) Heathrow slots...

The new LHR to Barbados flights from VS are scheduled flights but are also being made available in cooperation with P&O Cruises who are offering their passengers that are joining their cruises in Barbados on the Britannia and Ventura a LHR departure for the first time on a scheduled airline along with their current LGW and regional departure points using charter flights operated by TUI.

This new addition to the VS network from LHR does not mean the gradual erosion of LGW operations as VS has available slots at LHR to accommodate the extra flights to Barbados which is a premier destination that can operate in conjunction with LGW.

I think it's a good move by VS to open up LHR to Barbados and with the commitment of P&O Cruises this new seasonal route will be a success.

Ryanair changes airport on route between London and Belfast
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-41921476

Ryanair slots have gone back to IAG.

We’re planning to base 11 787 Dreamliners at Gatwick in time for the summer season, so we needed to have the right infrastructure in place to ensure the smooth delivery of our operation.

Norwegian commenting on its new additional check in area, 738 numbers rumoured to be up by 2 additional units

What happened to retrenching short haul to concentrate on long haul?

Strengthening Scandi, not Med/Sun routes from what I've heard.

Norwegian doing some TUI flights again next year, additional capacity after Monarch folded.

Difficult to see where you draw the line with new entrants, muliple AOC’s within the same brand such as easyJet & Norwegian probably have a weaker case than Level, not sure how say in matters GAL have?

IAG looking at flights to Eilat

British Airways owner mulling London-Eilat flights - Israel News - Jerusalem Post