'And like most people who live nearer NCL I would be prepared to pay an extra £10 each way for a flight rather than drive and park at MME!'
'Question is how many of the 6-7 Million would have to drive past NCL or LBA to get to MME and are stupid enough to do it?'
You are both very lucky that you can get the flight you want from NCL (or LBA), and don't have to be 'stupid enough' to be forced to drive past MME to get the flight you want.