I agree but look at the facts. BHX is reputedly the most expensive airport in the UK so that for a start puts off the big 2 LOCO's, and when most of the public book a flight it's those they choose. Example, I was in AMS over the weekend and when I got to my hotel the receptionist asked "How was your Easyjet flight?", when I said I was on BMIBaby she didn't have a clue, on the way back to the airport the taxi driver asked "Are you travelling Easyjet?" again he didn't have a clue who BMIBaby were. Just look at the figures for EMA, also we're now slipping into 8 million pax territory whereas Luton are now storming towards 10 million.
Long Haul has the same problem, we have a short runway which limits the profits of larger aircraft, we have very little in the way of top class business facilities, we have an international pier that's a joke and only 1 stand that allows seperate premium class boarding, very limited widebody parking that could restrict flight schedules and yet despite all this we charge an outrageously expensive price??? Hardly an atrractive prospect for an airline, especially the way the industry is these days. Is it any wonder they choose MAN, bigger and better infrastructure not for the same price, but for LESS. Just look at the long haul charter network, Britains 2nd most popular holiday destination is Florida, we have ONE flight per week, it's ridiculous.
If BHX build the extension and rebuild the pier i'm sure we'd get more long haul, and I think this is where they should be aiming. I'm amazed that the management have let it get this far but it's the same old story of this region, wait for everything to be delivered on a plate and then moan when they don't get it, pathetic excuse after pathetic excuse, and the occasional press realease stating the obvious 'we need a runway extension because...' all we need now is action but I'm not holding my breath.