Reminds me of the saying that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.
A bit like Stobart's talks with the dozen airlines they were meant to be taking to. I can't really see what more Stobart can do. No doubt the carrots are there to tempt the horse but if the horse thinks there are more carrots to eat elsewhere then they won't come.
Stobart's line has always been that London has run out of capacity but it hasn't yet and capacity continues to be added and that is part of the issue. Being the UK's second favourite airport after Doncaster does not seem to impress the airlines for some reason either. I think Southend will gradually build up its numbers but I can't see a big breakthrough airline appearing anytime soon.