There was a demand for flights from BLK - Read TSR2's post below, typical of summer - even October, my flight to Faro was full.
Of course there is a demand from within Blackpool's catchment area for such flights. The hard fact is that Blackpool is unable to attract a sufficient share of that demand to pay for the facilities needed to service it.
As you say
It was a niche airport - did lose money
!
I did say the full length runway should be retained, even though the maintained length (TORA) should be reduced and licensed as required for the non-charter businesses that BPL
can attract. And there are lots of those, if the owners/management have got the nous and drive to go out and get them.