Originally Posted by
orbitmic
To make sure BA become grossly uncompetitive across all markets vis a vis their European and international competitors? Sounds like an odd plan to me, and one which would force BA to close many long haul routes which would become unsustainable without connecting traffic. Connecting pax often account for about half of long haul passengers on many routes and if you start adding a £100 penalty in y and £200 in w and j, connecting pax will rightly stick to af, lh, tk, dl, EK or qr rather than consider flying ba.
You're not wrong, but at the heart of this issue:
* What is the purpose of LHR?
* What is the best use of the UK's aviation infrastructure?
We're getting into a situation where the congested gateway to the UK - through which many people with money to invest and spend in Britain must pass - privileges connecting traffic above traffic which contributes to our GDP.
It would be nice to have a 5-runway airport near to London that didn't put aircraft across the city, with a 150mph rail connection to central London and onwards to the provinces , and be able to support a truly world-class aviation hub. But we are where we are - no significant infrastructure is going to be built here in most of our lifetimes, so the question is how best to use what we have for the benefit of the people who live here.