Daz is right on two counts
1. STN is now doing 1.3m pa more pax than MAN so is 3rd busiest in UK for pax but with a lot less air transport movements. Good use of a single runway.
2. STN needs long haul and there definitely a market whether it be Maxjet/Eos product or other and also spare runway/terminal capacity to provide it. LGW and LHR are not the only option, particularly as STN has catchment area further to the north.