Whilst I doubt Ryanair will close their EMA base altogether (although it is far from impossible) I would not be surprised if they see the present circumstances as an ideal time undertake a major re-distribution of their Midlands capacity between EMA and BHX.
The loss of Flybe and the general downturn in traffic, which could possibly last for some time, may well have also prompted BHX management to have made a tempting offer to Ryanair.
Another factor which may be influencing Ryanair is the likelihood of an Easy base at BHX at some time in the not too distant future and Wizz air’s expansion there, the latter’s operations may also bring DSA into their considerations of any tactical moves?
All of this is of course conjecture, but given MAG’s seemingly lukewarm attitude towards passenger development at EMA in the past, it may well be that they are not prepared to fight too hard to retain passenger business at any cost, but rather concentrate even further on freight?