Originally Posted by
danielstrandby
While that is true, monetising that surplus capacity still comes at a variable cost and perhaps also an increase in overheads to create said surplus capacity – a total cost which is apparently not covered by the PP revenue in many cases. There is also a possible opportunity cost if admitting PP guests creates overcrowding and thereby reduces exclusivity. It is tough for us to quantify these variables as outsiders but the former PP lounges in the aforementioned airports have evidently come to the conclusion that being part of the Priority Pass program doesn't add up to profitability. I am admittedly not in the know and will happily stand corrected but I can't really see any other logical conclusion.
Since in your previous posts, you brought up US Airports as examples, it really has more to do with the nature of lounges at US Airports as to why each of those airports has limited to no PP lounges.
Most airport lounges in the US are operated by one of the US3 carriers (AA/DL/UA). Each of these airlines sells "memberships" that allow access only when flying that carrier or a partner. Each also has a credit card that provides roughly the same access. In the US, most PP holders have it because they have a different premium credit card that offers it as a perk. Accepting PP would mean they are competing against themselves. Why buy a membership to a lounge when you can get in via PP at a reduced price without access restrictions?
Some airports have non-US carrier lounges that at times accepted PP, usually limited hours when their own flights weren't operating or on a limited capacity basis. While some still take it, others either to your point didn't find the marginal revenue worth the marginal expense of operating the lounge extra hours or didn't find the extra revenue worth the abrasion of people showing up at non-PP hours and arguing to get in, or showing up at other locations and saying they should get in.
Lastly, some airports (particularly mid-size airports) have independent lounges (e.g. The Club/Aspire/Plaza Premium) that take PP, but many airports do not. LAX/EWR/DEN/DTW/DCA/PDX/PHX each don't have any to name a few, others like ORD only have one that is away from most travelers. Secondary airports sometimes encourage these independent lounges because they want premium customers or international airlines to operate but can't attract an airline lounge. Many airports in the US don't have any lounges whatsoever.
As far as a solution, at least in the US, there isn't one except lower expectations. PP is nice to have, but, in the US is not a good primary lounge card unless you happen to always fly at airports with PP lounges.