Presumably this now strongly encourages Easyjet, and maybe also Flybe, to start charging for airport check-in, and also pushes airports even more towards the replacement of desks with retail units in check-in halls
Possibly, its a revenue stream and has being a way to change behaviour very quickly which proves what Ryanair have said all along, charge and people will change behaviour be it inflight food, luggage, check in etc.
I think in less than 2 years there will be generic check in desks for airlines at airports anyway, maybe not LGW but a couple of desks taking care of wherever you are flying, airlines happy as reduces cost and airports happy as reduces space required for desks.
The concept of retail units pre airside has gone away as LGW have moved against it as was impacting on overall service for departing passengers with less security areas and people hogging car parks to shop. T5 did away with this completely aside from coffee shop, newsagent and little else.
I am not sure how far airports have gone in seeking other income areas now that less checkin area required, retail has been hammered so where now.