Bigredbin, yes, I see your point, although it doen't quite read that way. When easyJet started on Air Foyles AOC with IAG's aircraft they benefitted from the economies of scale, whereby a huge chunk of overhead was spread across a much bigger fleet ( If I remember correctly there were a fleet of 146's operating for TNT and a 737-300 operating charter out of Leeds) I do recall a number of visits to Halcyon house to discuss various projects with the Air Foyle team . In fact thats where I first met Hamrah who, I seem to recall was Air Foyle's ( and therefore technically easyJets) Fleet Manager on the 737-200.
I notice that Astraeus have a successful AOC hosting operation in Iceland for Iceland Express. I would have thought NOW might have given them a call to discuss possibillities.