Asian Airlines' changing presence at London Heathrow Pt 1: Cathay and SIA increase capacity

Partnerships and a reluctance to hang onto loss-making but "strategic" routes are shifting the competitive landscape at London Heathrow Airport. Already-large airlines will grow in size and capability, an effect that increases in significance as slots are already maximised. For Asia's airlines this presents challenges - and some opportunities.

Greater competitive pressure and unwillingness to sustain loss-making services saw South African Airways in 2012 withdraw a Heathrow service and hand its slot over to Singapore Airlines, allowing SIA to start a fourth daily service. Qantas also previously cut two services, with British Airways receiving its slots.

Meanwhile a new approach to partnerships and alliances spilled over to Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific. Air New Zealand will drop its Hong Kong-London service while Cathay will use the extra slot to launch its fifth daily Heathrow service, making Cathay the largest Asian airline at Heathrow ranked on seats, and 11th largest at the airport overall.