Mature Manchester
The fact is that irrespective of MAN's detractors, apart from LHR it has the most mature / diverse / consistent customer base of any major UK airport,
It isn't beholden to one carrier, Lo-Cos, Legacy, charter, or long-hauls. It has a great mix of all and it is this diversity that is what makes it a robust, profitable business.
News is that all sectors are looking to expand / create new business (EZY, LS, TP, Austrian, Thai to name a few).
Some may wish to sling mud re the use of R2, but the plain and simple facts are;
i) Why keep it open - and spend money doing so - when traffic levels don't require it
ii) R2 isn't just about dealing with today's traffic, but that which is expected over the next 30 years.
Just amazing that there are so many MAN bashers on this forum.
I wonder whether jealously might play a part???