Go to the route cause of the problem, 'aircraft' are being used as an excuse by Flybe for a failed strategy. They have operated for many years probably at a contribution level and not profit level. The reason for that? Competition! Larger aircraft, lower seat mile costs and lower fares of the competition mean less and less pax and dwindling contribution for Flybe; possibly even negative contribution to Direct Operating Costs. Hence the desperate need to get rid of the aircraft/routes. It's not just sun routes from SOU it's most if not all sun routes from UK regions.