I am more interested in the mgmt at NCL strengthening the financial position of the airport
You could be an airport manager or local councillor with talk like that...
Each to their own, I want my flight to be cheaper then I'll fly more. I suspect that will be the general consensus of opinion on Northumberland Street too.
NCL has been harder and longer than at comparable airports.
You're absolutely correct about the local economy. EMA trend and numbers seem to be very similar, is their local economy similar to that of the North East or do they have differing influencing factors that I don't know about? I know the South West is a little more affluent which I think might explain a little.