(5) It follows that 'old' airlines were in a privileged position to scoop valuable slots decades ago. The economic value of which has kept increasing due to almost exponential growth in air travel. The venerable airlines have obviously held on to these slots as gold nuggets in a safe. This is what makes a premium airport like LHR special. Rumour has it that Lufthansa even acquired the much smaller British airline BMI only… to grab its portfolio of prized LHR slots. British Airways acquired BMI from Lufthansa subsequently (BBC News, 22 Dec 2011), with Virgin Atlantic promptly protesting that the stronghold of BA at LHR will get even greater.