The use of a seats for sale limit may be illogical, however it is in the current agreement. The previous ministers decision to remove it was overturned by the court and the planning service were forced to withdraw their application to have the limit raised. The city airport may well appeal to have the limit raised but the agreement cannot be amended without a public enquiry, as the courts have just stated. Between now and then the planning service will have to enforce the current agreement and SfS limits need to be managed at 2 million inward and the same outward per annum.
There will be difficult decisions for the airport in the coming months.
I'm told forward bookings on the new routes are less than 25%, even for the winter 2011.