Quote: "FDF,
A number of major airports are in the "middle of nowhere" generally because it is safer and disturbing less people, here in the Philippines they're thinking of doing away with Manila airport as the gateway to the country and routing the international flights through Clark Airport ... because it's in the middle of nowhere."
Are Philippines airports and Philippines Airlines (PAL) privately owned?
How far is Clark from Manila? Is there good surface access? Will MNL remain open for point-to-point domestic and "near abroad" flights?
If so, it could be planned to be a GMP/ICN, HND/NRT or TSA/TPE type set up. Hesitate to add SHA/PVG to the list, because PVG isn't that far out.
Quote: "Back to reality. I can understand the potential of somewhere like BHX as a major hub because the infrastructure is already in place and it is a relatively easy connection to London. Whether we like it or not, it is the connectability to the southeast that is vital. London and its environs matter here big time because that is where most connections, travellers and money emanate. It's just a fact of life. "
No, a connection to London is not neccessarily needed for BHX (or GLA, MAN) to be a hub. No one going to London needs to change at BHX (there are no flights anyway), because there are many flights direct to London airports. Very few longhaul flights would go to BHX (or GLA, MAN) unless they were also at LHR or LGW.
What is needed to be a HUB is a good network of shorthaul destinations with interlining/through ticketing arrangements for any potential longhaul flights to connect to. Think of MUC to see this in practice in 2013.
BHX, GLA and MAN had this, but over the last 15 years or so their shorthaul networks have been replaced in part by "no-frills" operators who do not participate in with interlining/through ticketing arrangements.
Quote: "So A BHX hub is a possibility, a Thameside hub is credible, expansion at Stansted is likely as it is at Gatwick."
Subject to the above, a BHX hub could be a possibility but not as "Heathdon" dual hub or instead of LHR expansion. Also, LGW and/or STN cannot be substitutes for LHR expansion. An estuary hub is the stuff of vanity project fantasy (sorry Silver!) and not going to happen.
Quote: "But a major hub in say Norwich (140miles to LHR) is not, nor is East Mids (120miles) and Cardiff (150miles) is a definite NoNo. It just is not going to happen. It makes no logical sense whatsoever."
Exactly.