Random anecdote but it appears that the customer service team which handle EU261 complaints are liars.
We are aware that on the last flight of the previous evenings schedule, the aircraft that operated your flight, was struck by an airbridge at Paris CDG, causing the aircraft to be taken out of service for extensive maintenance. We can see that the aircraft on the morning of the 8th, had to be flown back to Doncaster Sheffield, to operate the day's schedule, albeit it with a delay to the first flight operating on the morning schedule. This was due to Air Traffic Controlling restrictions on being given the permission to fly the aircraft out of Paris CDG, and only utilising the slots given to fly the aircraft back to Doncaster. We can also say that due to Doncaster Sheffield not being an airport that is a Flybe operating base, the option of an aircraft change was not feasible, and that flights on the day's schedule would experience reactionary delays. With the above circumstances taken into account, this does mean we are able to defend such claims out of the control of the airline, and that operating out of an airport that is not an operating base, does cause restrictions on available alternatives. As such, we are continuing to deny this compensation claim in line with the above reasons.
Since when is DSA not an operating base?
I flew between AGP and DSA back in June and the aircraft was delayed after allegedly being struck by an airbridge in CDG the day before. They're using this as an excuse not to pay out despite the flight being scheduled over 24 hours after this incident. Frustrating to say the least.