That article is only really relevant within London where there's a huge amount of choice
British Airways have all but abandoned my local airport (Newcastle) aside from LHR route but easyjet, flybe, jet2 and ryanair et al all have invested in routes. BA sometimes works out cheaper in peak times, even KLM does but do I really want to fly NCL-LHR-BCN when I could go direct for a little bit extra, cabin service aside.
Out of Newcastle to 'key leisure destinations' there's only the charters/easy/ryanair to Spain and the like or Emirates/KLM/Sabena/AF/LH scheduled
Though I imagine the vast amount of Newcastle passengers use flights are to Alicante, Palma etc
Yes sometimes they are a little bit more expensive but ahead of BA and the scheduled airlines. They operate!