Rob T100 - You seem to have a problem with NCL, not only do you slag the airport off in this forum but you have started doing the same in the DTV forum as well? Did we leave the airport un-voluntarily at some point or have you never been short listed for a job here??
The airport is not trying to be a 'Manchester', it is purely trying to bring some choice of direct destinations to the people of the North East! I like many other do not like the 2-3 hour drive to Manchester, especially after a long haul flight. I would gladly take a 2-3 minute bus journey round the pier if it meant I flew from my local airport and did not have to drive 2-3 hours to and from Manchester!!
I would suggest we try to be less critical of our local airport. I for one have travelled through much worse airports, even ones, if you believe Rob, we should be travelling from because the people of the NorthEast do not deserve direct air links!