What is so bloody special about Manchester International Airport?
I think MAN has always been a 'strange' airport.
To think its secured some of the routes/aircraft it has is nothing short of astounding.
There are airports around the world that would give their right arm to have a fraction of what MAN has, and it just keeps on comming!
Some achievements:
-EK A380 before some of the worlds busiest airports (FRA/LAX/JFK)
-4th EY lounge in the WORLD
-one of the few airports to see a service from all 3 major ME carriers
-up to 6 flights a DAY to New York (PIA/BG included as they have/will have the rights to serve it)
-up to 2 daily CX freighters, and up till this year, was the only place in the UK you could see a china airlines aircraft
-the only UK regional not to have been cut by AA, and one of only 4 euro cities they linked with ORD this winter.
What brings them here though?
Yes Manchester has a large population, but its nothing special. Considering its also reasonably close to LHR its done exeptionally well.
Maybe its lower fees, maybe its the loads. I doubt anyone on here will have a definative answer, but like you say, we seem to have been blessed when it comes to our long-hauls!