bob1810
The negatives
This winter is bad. But don't forget before 2002/3, peak passenger volumes at BOH never surpassed the 250,000 level. 2011 looks to be around 550-575,000. Other airports like CWL, PIK have lost the same number of passengers too albeit off a much higher total number. Those services lost, mean that pax numbers stabalize at the competitive airports to those that have lost services (BRS, GLA, & SOU in BOH's case)
Fuel price increases might mean that domestic routes are unlikely to ever be operated from BOH in the future. I would leave this area to SOU. Even SOU is struggling to maintain passenger volumes on domestic services with yields crumbling.
The positives
Bournemouth's future is not only dependent on scheduled air travel. Being located in an affluent area of the South, the future could support more medium to long-haul development. This will depend on economic recovery.
Despite the worst economic crisis since WW1, BOH is sustaining three of Europes major carriers - Ryanair, TUI and easyJet. These airlines could easily have ditched the airport, but they haven't. Thats something to remain positive about.