Quote: "A parallel taxiway would not be justified until airfield movements are consistently above 20 per hour. Even in the peak summer departure rush, it's not achieving that level, so there's a long way to go before it's needed."
This is quote from the skyscraper city forum-Leeds. It could quite possibly be from someone who works for the owners of LBIA.
Why is the statement so inaccurate? Because it is up to the airport owners to do the deals with the airlines that will create the extra movements. This is the same at any progressive airport. The statement is tantamount to a shop owner saying "we'll put a handle on the door when we get enough people coming into the shop!"
Did the owners of MAN say "we'll build a second runway when we get to 30 million passengers? No they invested their MONEY in the airport up front which meant attracting and doing deals with airlines all the easier.
No more excuses LBIA needs money spending on it - that was why it was sold. Build the extra apron space instead of parking aircraft on the taxiways. Extend the terminal instead of funnelling passengers through a cramped 1980s shell and make the airport attractive by building the parallel taxiways that will save airlines fuel.
The catchment is there, yes other issues such as surface access and direct train link also need resolving but the airport owners must lead from the front. Don't wait for things to happen go make things happen Bridgepoint like competing airports have done in the past and continue to do.