I can only assume you have applied for the airlines, and not the ground handlers at the airport?
My suggestion being take a dive into check in, getting a foot back into the industry, or better still dispatch.
Airlines seem to be reducing costs and thus using ground handlers more and more, decreasing the need for the amount of staff, so I would personally apply for either Swissport, Menzies or Servisair (Aviance does not exist outside of LHR now) at Manchester (if thats your closest airport) and maybe see what companies handle the larger contracts like Emirates, as the "A380" will be flying there from the 30th of September, meaning extra jobs within that company may become available for you then to apply.....
I wish you all the best of luck, and dont make these few disappointments push you away from a job you love