I really don't think Harbour is finished by a long way just yet. This set of circumstances has pretty much changed the outlook and game plan for everyone. As is always the case there are plusses and minuses for every airport on our small island. Dublin has leapt ahead of everyone in the last 30 years in terms of facilities and infrastructure, Harbour has invested in new facilities and has benefitted from improved infrastructure and will continue to do so when the last part of the west link project is complete. Aldergrove is exactly the same as I remember going on holidays from it 30 years ago! Same tired and grubby 1970s style building, same poor roads to get there, same promises of change that never actually materialise.
Who knows where any of our airports will be in 5 years? Will Aldergrove owners be keen to massively invest in a business that has taken such a hit or will they adopt a wait and see approach? Where will our local holiday market be? Will it recover or will we see an increase in UK tourism? Harbour and Aldergrove generally chase 2 different markets, Aldergrove have always been on record saying the bulk of their business is holiday summer flights whereas Harbour is steady throughout the year without the same peaks and troughs of traffic levels. Harbour CEO was on Radio Ulster recently stating that the FlyBe routes have been backfilled but for obvious reasons not yet active.
Where would Aldergrove be if EZY didn't survive this current situation in its present format. EZY could be a different beast than it is now in a few years time.
Bottom line is simple. None of the armchair CEOs on this forum have the first clue about the negotiations and deals being done with any of the airports. Their opinion doesn't count for squat. Incidentally I apply that statement to myself as well before the aerosexuals and spotters get all offended. I'm pretty sure though that the local airport CEOs don't come to Pprune for advice, thankfully!