Growth (History)
Interesting comments re. Newcastle's ability for growth and fanciful wish lists compared to realistic route expansion. - However I have a copy of 95/96 Winter Timetable which shows Newcastle enjoyed such routes as Bergen, Stavanger & Oslo by Braathens (SAS) Boeing 737 a/c on a daily basis! Brussels 4 times Daily (Sabena/Brussels Airlines), Caledonian weekly to GOA, India, Weekly Orlando by Airtours etc....
Newcastle enjoyed a peak of over 5.6m passengers in 2007 (Without Emirates & organic growth!) compared to 4.4m last year. Since 20007 Teeside has virtually closed apart from KLM & Eastern, but populations have increased so where has all the demand gone? - LCC's via EasyJet & Jet2 have increased! Bristol!!!has overtaken NCL!
Could it be Newcastle is just too expensive? I'm aware of at least 3 families travelling up to Edinburgh and one other travelling via LeedsBradford to save hundreds of pounds!
Newcastle, I believe has the market & opportunity to grow beyond 8m pax in TODAY's market.
Mix of 1/3rd each Business, Leisure & LCC is about right, but more marketing and promotion is needed.