Originally Posted by
gkmeech
SOU Management confirmed to me in a tweet ‘Hi Graham, Flybe is reducing services, which is regrettable. However, this reinforces the case for investment in our runway to ensure we can offer more choice for passengers. We’re having discussions with other airlines to backfill routes and growth plans continue unaffected. FP
Well bearing in mind the somewhat febrile posts on this thread I will risk the flak by saying SOU Management would say that wouldn't they?. It's management speak for stating the ' bleedin' obvious'. Surely it's the prime responsibility of any airport to maximise it's facilities to attract commercial carriers, especially when it is operationally marginal because of physical constraints.
If an airport does not have a runway long enough to offer viable payloads with modern equipment, and constrains destination options any prospective carrier is going to think twice. It's basic economics , and no wishful thinking will change that.