Which do you prefer? Passengers numbers or flight frequencies?
The problem is that Ryanair aircraft are actually too big to operate on most routes out of LDY and the routes that it can operate are limited at best to 1 flight per day and sometimes only 4 per week (ie: a flight every second day).
An operator with smaller aircraft could operate more routes, with increased frequencies but almost certainly increased fares (let's be fair here - despite hidden charges Ryanair are cheaper).
Would increased frequencies on more routes be of greater benefit to the people of the North West if the fares were higher?
Would the increased frequencies on more routes attract more passengers than would be lost due to higher fares?
Would increased airport fees per passenger be enough to offset the losses of fewer passengers and reduced ancilliary income or would local council subvention have to increase?
LDY is currently ranked 29th in the UK. Would you prefer a dimished status and possible increased losses in favour of more destinations and increased frequency?
What constitutes a successful airport? A profitable airport? An airport with more than 1 million passengers per annum? An airport with daily flights to the top 10 UK airports?