The owners of Flybe have realised that the prospects of returning Flybe to long term profitability without outside help are poor - the investment required far exceeds the value of potential profits over the next 10+ years. I think the likes of Virgin and Stobart bit off far more than they could possibly handle and have now realised this. They also know Boris wants to be seen as helping the regions rather than just London. Thus the message is "Boris, give us some cash, or we shut down Flybe, along with airports like Exeter, Southampton and maybe also Belfast City"