Don't really get what else you'd want from an airport. Get in, get out. As long as you've got somewhere to get a snack and a drink, what more do you need? Smaller the airport, the better for me.
US airports are like 1970s football stadiums. Just there for one function. Its an antiquated model.
There has to be a new business model to keep up with the times.
Get in, get out facility. Its like most downtown of major cities.
But its a vicious cycle really. If the airport isn't profitable or made more commercial then the experience & services are poor -- lack of staff/long queues, old facilities, dirty etc. So you
get in, get out
If the authorities make it more of a better experience for both the visitors and the passengers, they may stay longer and spend more money at the restaurants, shops etc which will allow the airport authorities to keep the place well run -- like upgrades at the gates with better design flow etc. All to maximise the space used beyond shipping passengers in & out of the facility.
Its like any place that goes beyond its basic function -- modern football stadiums all have other facilities to maximise both the fan experience and the floor space. Airports ought to be the same. Or no different to a mobile phone when it goes beyond just the talking/chat/communication function.
The longer you can keep the passenger/football fan in the facility then the more money you can extract from the customer. Then there is money to ensure that experience is optimal.
Finally, airports are generally the 1st impression you have of the city. Crap airport, the chances are that you have a poor impression of how the city is run. Bad for investors.