All raw figures have to be compared with other airports; if numbers of passengers handled fell for the reasons given ie. fewer people taking holidays in peak July/August period then this should be repeated at other airports. I suspect that they're clutching at straws; increased loco competition at BHX/CVT and DSA is the most likely reason. As has been said on here many times; EMA services seem to have stagnated over last 2 years. BMIbaby have gradually shifted some flights to BHX, Easyjet have made minor route changes and Ryanair have not added many new flights yet.(Next year should be interesting though)