Prophead what have you against having a second and major UK regional Hub admittedly supported largely via foreign carriers serving a catchment area of third of the country ?
Are you referring to MAN? It is a pain to get to for much of the north but was for a long time the only choice. Flying from LBA etc. to AMS or, better still LHR is a much better option.
And what’s with the downer in the Marjority of the fare paying and travelling public that can’t afford the bath chair free newspaper sandwich and lounge experience at plus 2 ,5 and 10 times base ticket price.
Not sure where you get that from?