Expressflight - Norfolk is never going to need a thriving airport. Your more likely to see flights to the moon then southend becoming a contender. There are 4 airports in London which I think we can safely say have the market covered!
Palmair does count, and they exploit Bournemouth's market - the grey market.
Southampton is regional airport that can't facilitate more than a few 737's/a319's. Name another regional airline in the UK other than flybe that could bring something to Southampton? Rest my case.
possibleconsequences - Don't have anything against the airport, as I said there were many answers being asked and I decided to give my opinion on them.
That means that freight, charter, painting etc seems to thrive at the quiet airports as they are not resticted. They wouldnt work at airports like Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton but do at Southend, Bournemouth, Lasham etc.
I dont want to be all doom and gloom but Bournemoth airport needs to be put in prospective and classed with the likewise airports.