I abolsutely accept the point that APD is damaging to UK aviation.
But i'd contend that maintaining that DUB has gained at MAN's expense is incorrent, though I can see how people arrive at that conclusion.
Airline
PR often revolves around such nuggets as "due to UK APD, we have decided to grow at DUB/CDG/CPH/OSL instead". This
PR suits the airline for obvious reasons, but it's incorrect for them to assert that these places are "in competition" with one another.
While operating costs of one airport versus another are important to an extent, it's the revenue environment that really attracts an airline. Do they wish to serve that particular market?
I've witnessed quite a bit of bad feeling towards DUB on these forums and on others, from MAN suporters in particular, on the basis that DUB is allegedly "stealing" business from MAN despite the fact they are in two different countries and dont compete for the same passengers.
Undoubtedly, the two cities comprise similarly sized markets, which share a lot in common, but they are just that - two distinct markets.