LBIA contraction
If you don't spend money on improving an airport (as was promised) then you will lose passengers, it's as simple as that. That is where LBIA is right now despite the waffle.
Operators that state 'we want to see what's going to happen before we build some new apron' etc are dinosaurs from a bygone failing era. Quite simply Manchester must be laughing their socks off as they plaster their adverts all over west Yorkshire.
I saw a tweet from @LBIAirport on 19th August concerning a girls disappointment at no playstation3 (or any kids toys anymore) in the premier lounge. It had broken and she'd been told it costs too much to replace. I think this tells you all you need to know.
Extra terminal space, apron space and parallel taxiway, all of which should have been built [if you believe the ridiculous misleading masterplan], would have shown operators and passengers alike that this airport and owner meant serious business. But if mending a PS3 is costly then airport infrastructure upgrade will be pie in the sky.
Leeds is the fastest growing big city in the UK and the airport has gigantic potential (as Manchester airport has known for 40+ years) but only if the right people are in charge.