But I was agreeing with you - in a much bigger market, having a bigger market share doesn't really matter, since the remainder of the market will provide enough competition to keep the market honest.

In my example, 90% market share in a 20million market still leaves 1.8million for the others, enough to keep the market honest.

90% in a 20K market only leaves 1K for the competition, nowhere near enough to keep the market honest.

Getting back to this situation, I don't think it matters that LON-NYC is vastly bigger than anything out of FRA or CDG as far as competition issues go.

What I think matters (and I have read studies on this, can't find them at the moment, I am on somebody elses computer) is that it is the SIZE of the residual market (in passenger terms, not in % terms) which affects how competition issues will be addressed.

I hope this makes sense, I have been at my sisters 40th birthday party tonight, so not exactly sure I am making sense at the moment (if you get my drift).

Dave