General,
Open skies may be a reality in 2010... this means a drastic increase in INTL competition. Specifically, LHR may be the target of many other "carriers"... how will this affect DL and the other legacies with an increase of International/domestic competition?
I'll take a stab at this. Its about the SLOTS.....landing slots, takeoff slots, parking slots/gates. The good thing about international is that every Tom, Dick and Harry cant just decide to start flying to every destination they decide would make money. International is a much harder gig to bust into. Not impossible but there are many more barriers to entry. CAL just paid over one hundred millon for a couple landing slots at Heathro just to give you an idea on the investment required to get to some of the "hot spots".