Well, I suggest only the following will make the cut : LHR, LGW, STN, BHX, MAN, GLA, ABZ, plus BFS or BHD.
Additionally, EMA will continue as the UK’s freight-focused airport. I’ve mixed opinions re LTN, its over-reliance on a single loco operator who may well experience ownership changes in the next decade, and longer-term domestic transport trends.
As stated in post #47:
"The idea that there will be just 8 civil airports in the UK in ten years time is risible: it means just 2 outside the IATA "London" designation area.
You're having a laugh!"
and post #49:
"Like LCY, LBA is going nowhere either.
You have to follow the money, LBA mangement have just invested in terminal improvements/enlargements with allegedly more to come. Clearly it will be around in 10 years time. It's also rare among UK airports: it has a link to LHR."
Fewer airports than a small country like Ireland? Don't think so.
The same comments made about LBA also apply to EDI (on a larger scale of course). LTN too is investing in infrastructure improvements. Airports that will be closed in 10 years time don't do this.
Even with no "no frills" activity LTN would remain an important airport for charter/holiday carriers.
Also don't forget:
(1) airports like NQY, DND and the various Highland and Island airports sustained by PSO arrangements;
(2) niche airports such as BHD, HUY, LCY, NWI, SEN and airports diversified away from just pax;
(3) island airports like ALC, GCI, IOM, JER;
(4) airports serving areas away from the main centres of population such as CWL, EXT and INV;
(5) regional airports omitted from the list of 8 like BFS, BOH, BRS, EDI, EMA, LBA, LPL, LTN, NCL and SOU.
BLK and MME do look vulnerable and CAX looks unlikely to take off.
The lists starts to get longer and longer.........
The
real question for 10 years time is: will LHR still have just 2 rwys. Regretably, we all know that it will.