There has been some discussion about how BA plans to cut its capacity this winter by 3% to 5%. This means that between 1 flight in 20 and 1 in thirty will be stopped: 1 flight in 20 means that 1 per week on a 3 per day service will be terminated.

In the bigger picture, does this really matter ? If a slot has to be used 80% of the time, using it Mon-Fri is a problem as that only hits 70%, but 1 day can easily be dropped. Even if 2 go, could an airline be forced to give up the slot ? Altogether? Or just at the weekend – which could lead to a situation formerly like that on ITV, where a different company broadcast (would fly) at the weekend and during the week.