But that is surely the rub.
One has to accept a loss over a considerable period of time before seeing a benefit. That is great if the risk is shared, but if it is one-sided, i.e. low charges from the airport and "...oh by the way if the route does not work we will can it..." by the airline is a bit of a one sided arrangement. How many people out there running a business (a shop for example) would allow a company free rent of a space for that particular company to see it's product and if after x time it was not making enough money (note I did not say making money) they say thanks Mr Shop-keeper and walk away...forget it, one would surely want some form of risk share after all the shop is assisting in facilitating the other trader's customers, the add-on sale is very tenuous!?
Great to have an airport with loads of pax, but, like a town with loads of people that only window shop and don't buy the town centre becomes a wasteland. Or the restuarant whose tables are full of 'one coffee and a croissant' all day, no fois gras and salmon steaks with caviar get a look in cos all the tables are occupied. the restaurant looks busy -packed out, but it makes B-all.
Does that make sense at all? Or is the science and economics somewhat different to Keynes et al.