Very good point Bagso, there does indeed seem to be mounting evidence air traffic growth is finding its way to the regions of the UK in the face of a full SE, and not being lost to mainland Europe, as some would have us believe.
That comment is usually used for LGW rather than MAN or BHX.
The stranglehold that EK has on these two airports for travelling east and on the kangaroo route is more likely to have inhibited other carriers starting routes. Good to see this changing, at last.
The thing is once one thing happens it starts to snowball and I can see it happening already at both BHX and MAN so lets make sure all the infrastructure is there ready,I
know things are happening at MAN now but are things at BHX, you only need 3 or 4
A330 aircraft sat for 5 or 6 hours and ramp space is eaten up very quickly
Yes more direct/nonstop flights are to be welcomed!
Two outcomes are possible: more pressure on, and competition for, EK, and/or a general growth in pax numbers as new journeys become available and easier, particularly for discretionary travel.