CATIII-NDB
What a superbly written and argued piece! I believe you are spot on with regard to the catalyst for growth at BHX - namely real jobs being created in a real (as opposed to public sector driven) economy.
Presently those that did particularly well in the last few years (the public sector) are suffering with job insecurity and no one with any sense fritters money on short breaks and holidays whilst they don't have job security.
On the other hand the business services, driven by the private sector, and what remains of Midlands manufacturing are driving up passengers on the main non leisure routes.
The local "hate figure" Paul Kehoe seems to be doing a good job for his shareholders, which is after all his remit, though he's clearly not pleasing the local enthusiast community, nor many of those who work for the airport company. This clearly proves you can please "some of the people some of the time" but not "all of the people all of the time"!