Bad Bear
You are correct about the pricing; this is a sign on the pendulum swinging back in favour of the handling agents. In the good/bad old days there was less competition about. It was usual for there only to be one agent at a number of UK regional airports. The prices were higher their than at the bigger UK airports where there was more competition. The profits were higher and the quality was better at the regional’s that the majors. Then with deregulation competition came. Prices and therefore quality dropped. The handlers are being pressed to reduce losses and are walking away from markets so we have come full circle. At the moment Stansted is bucking this trend with 4 handlers where two would be more appropriate but I suspect this is a matter of time.
As to the question of longevity of the airlines, I suspect you will see a return to the days of more expensive flights from regional airports that from the majors. It will be interesting to see the reaction of Ryanair to the "take it or leave it” offers from the sole handling agents at the airport.