I’m sure LTNman releases that an Airport is for its passengers not spectators. As a past regular user of the old terminal facilities, as a viewer and local private pilot, I along with a few others also regret the necessary modifications, which HAD to be made. There is no way the terminal in its old layout would have been able to handle the increase in passenger though put. The old system with all the major catering facilities landside encouraged passengers to stay there until their flights were called which with even the then relatively small number of flights resulted in cues at the security check in desks. Rest assure LTNman that all the facilities of the old terminal are still there and more, but are all Airside for the use of flying customers not the spotters and OAP Sunday dinners.
The present set up encourages users to move from check in though security ASAP to airside thus avoiding long delays. Unfortunately it is just one of the small sacrifices that we have to make as the passenger numbers increase until a new terminal is built which hopefully will include good Landside viewing areas to see friends and family off and arrive