Diversifying airlines at STN
Is there, or will there ever be a solution to STN's long term problem of losing airlines to other airports? I remember this being a key issue during when BAA owned the airport, particularly during 2007-2012, where STN had been losing multiple airlines and services to LTN, LGW and even LHR (e.g. Aegean). I do appreciate the challenging economic recession at the time, which obviously had a major affect on air travel in the UK as a whole for a few years, in addition to the fact that BAA were almost boycotting investment into STN in favour of focusing on LHR. When it finally came to BAA's decision to sell STN, I remember the media and commentators maintaining that a change of ownership at STN would be beneficial for the airport in terms of airline and route diversification, and the new owners at the time (MAG) had made it a key priority to expand beyond FR's long running dominance at the airport. Fast forward to 2024, I think it is fair to say and observe that MAG have been nowhere near as successful in attracting a more diverse airline offering to STN in the same way that GIP have been successful at LGW. Granted, some progress has been made (e.g. Jet2's base; Emirates to Dubai; Royal Jordanian), but again, cannot compare to the success that LGW has enjoyed. I do accept and appreciate that the two airports serve different catchment areas, however, MAG had spent (and continue to spend) a lot to purchase and then revamp STN, and yet still the issue of airlines leaving persists. It is a shame, because I really had high hopes for STN when BAA left and the new owners arrived, but in some ways, I feel that the airport was a more pleasant place to fly from when BAA owned it; prior to the revamp, the departure lounge felt more spacious with more seating and natural lighting; the check in hall felt more spacious and would be better suited to deal with the increased volumes of passengers passing through the airport today than the current layout does).