Marginal Airports (UK)
On a number of AA&R threads, there is concern over the viability of smaller regional airports. Some have introduced local passenger charges (DTV, Norwich, Newquay etc), presumably because they are not making enough from airlines and other revenue sources.
Last year saw Coventry close for a few months, but although now re-opened, it looks unlikely that it will offer much in the way of passenger services in the near future.
We've also seen investment in some of the smaller airports; Doncaster/Sheffield is a totally new development based on the old RAF Finningley, Bournemouth has a new terminal just as most passenger services have stopped for the winter, and Southend is currently undergoing development.
So what does the future hold for these marginal airports, in the light of continuing economic difficulties? For the purposes of this debate I am looking at airline operations only, and not business aviation, training, general aviation, aircraft servicing, etc.
The airports I personally consider 'marginal' in this way include Southend, Durham Tees Valley, Plymouth, Oxford, Blackpool, Carlisle, Coventry, Bournemouth, Gloucester, Norwich, Manston, Lydd, Humberside and Doncaster/Sheffield. This list is not exhaustive.
Discuss...