Mart, normally you talk a lot of sense. However, when comparing the population of Newcastle with Belfast, do a bit of research. The Tyneside Metropolitan Area has a population almost 200,000 more than its equivalent in Belfast. Add on the 330,000 who live in the Sunderland area and you have something comparable (only comparable) to Dublin. Add in the ease of access (Metro all the way to the airport from the city centre), proximity of Durham and many other towns/cities and the comparison becomes less relevant.
I agree that MAN and LBA are nearish; EDI is a pig from Newcastle.
As for EK at BFS. Why not? I'd use it. They'd have to tart up the international departures bit a fair amount, but surely any investment would be well worth it (and long overdue)?