They are in 'talks'.
Christ, these talks have been ongoing for months upon months now. At what point will it dawn on them, outcomes and delivery is what counts.
I'd love to know precisely who is the lead sponsor and who are the negotiators on the team? From where I'm sitting, I'd classify these so called 'talks' as master class in procrastination!
Somebody needs to kick arse and gets results driving fast or fire them.
A Michael O'Leary type is needed at those talks to get the desired sustainable results.
As regards wooing City suits to the airport, the slots will need to be at the optimum evening peak periods and redeye morning inbound too. Reliable fast efficient transition through the airport to boarding and airborne without hassles like what you are witnessing at City which is pretty much organised chaos now.
Cityjet coming to Southend perhaps? Will need to be daily M-F evening departures between 5-7pm and Sat 8-10am. Arrivals M-F between 7-9am and Sat 11-13 and Sun 19-21.