Some in teresting posts.
My guess the complainers are all GA flyers.
The argument that the runway is there and not being used is irrelevant.
Airports - like it or not - are commercial operations.
Having been involvd in ground handling at airports where they have introduced mandatory handling was no fun for me, nor profit making. It tended to be a right pain in the **** as the GA brigade, normally, have no concept of what is an 'acceptable' charge.
Basically a charge, any charge, is unacceptable to most GA flyers. I very well recall when a small cafe upped their cost of a cup of tea/coffee from 50p to 70p; the GA fraternity shouted long and hard about the huge increase and then went for a 'spin' in their little beastie.
Reality dear boys, reality.
No-one owes you a favour or a freebie.
GH