Fair comparisons
In making our comparisons with equivalent airports we should consider the constraints MAN is operating within:
>Very limited available land for core development or other revenue generating
>The level of airport charges which the market will bear
>Shareholder expectations for ROCE*, both public and private
>Lack of state funding
>Highly competitive retail environment with the growth in on-line shopping
>No anchor air carrier who's continuing patronage and major stakeholder status can be relied upon. Remember BA?
Most other airport's with MAN's volume of traffic and route network have perhaps 2 or 3 but not all of these constraints. In many senses MAN does not have an equivalent airport, it is pretty unusual and its primary strength is the vast route network and choice of carriers available to a non-capital city and region.
*Return On Capital Employed