I agree sabreliner, 733 sqn got their marching orders because they did not fit into the airports 'business stategy'. Neither does GA, full stop.
There is perhaps one more thorn in NIAL's side that it needs to get shot of, and that is the Bellman hangar. A large number of Newcastle based light aircraft reside there. Around about the same time the current airport management took over, it was anounced to all Bellman residents that all preventative and routine maintenance was being stopped, and once the hangar became too dangerous to be used, it would be demolished. Have you seen it lately? It's not that far away from collapsing of it's own accord, especially after the recent high winds. A certain helicopter operation that uses the Bellman has (wisely) opted to park it's aircraft in the middle of the hangar to reduce the chances of damage should another wall panel fall off!
733 sqn - gone!
NAC - gone!
Bellman and over 50% of Newcastle's GA residents - ???
Me thinks (regretably) it's time to start looking elsewhere.
Sean