Manchester airport isn't trying to beat Heathrow but it offers a credible alternative. The Heathrow bubble has been burst and there is no turning back. It's a gateway to the world but the nonsense that it's that or nothing is just guff. Passengers will go where they want and Heathrow isn't the choice for millions any more.
I think London is a fantastic city and I use Heathrow but it should not be given a potentially massive hand out because we are told it will be the saviour of the UK.
Nobody is saying any of that. What are you talking about a bubble being burst?
Yes, passengers will go where they want and for parts of the country that is Amsterdam.
Manchester does not offer an alternative to LHR and never will. It is used by people flying to/from the north who find it more convenient than Heathrow and pay a penalty for that. Even with this in it's favour it will never be able to attract the destinations that Heathrow can and people are then forced to travel there via train and a transfer through London with luggage or fly from a northern airport and transfer elsewhere out of the UK.
An expanded LHR will mean more transfers with the UK and more money coming back to the taxpayer.
London airports already contribute around £1bn a year just in APD. A not insignificant figure which would likely pay for the access works before the expanded portion even became operational.