Madtoonfan,
When I saw the thread heading I thought you were talking about Sir Bobby's boys for a minute.
I suppose as regional airports expand their once de facto status as a sort of local drop-in centre for anoraks, the mildly interested and the this-is-somewhere-different-to-get-a-pint brigade has to all but disappear.
Airports are for travellers and have to be as efficient in this regard as possible. If it happens that this can be coupled with a nice spot from which to watch the 'planes and, even better, obtain some refreshment whilst doing it, then so much the better.
I empathise with you up to a point because my local airport at BRS, in going from 2 million to 4 million annual pax, has had to say to spotters and others wanting to watch the aircraft, "Sorry, our new terminal is designed to deal with passenger flow, not to provide a viewing gallery."
The old terminal had a bar and restaurant that gave a splendid view of the apron. Many local people used to pop in of a summer evening to sup a pint or two and watch the aircraft. The new terminal's main bar gives no view whatsoever of the apron, and the burger bars area gives only a partial view around struts and pillars.
Several non-anoraks (of both sexes) have told me how they used to enjoy the occasional trip to watch the planes and have a drink, and they bemoan the current situation.
I always say I prefer a burgeoning airport with new routes, airlines and an efficient operation to providing a place just to watch aeroplanes. Of course if you can have both, all well and good.
BRS management do say they will try to provide somewhere to watch the aircraft but I suspect with the current security situation this is a non-starter. Anyway, there is plenty of room at the far end of the airfield, on a country lane, for real enthusiasts to see the take-offs and landings.