Sad as it is, their market niche was an attractive and much-needed one. There's significant traffic between Ireland and the UK. Ferries alone won't make the cut, given that the land stretch of the journey on its UK part might be a pretty long one, depending on which city you're travelling to/from. It's out of question that another airline will step in soon. I can only wish the former employees of Stobart strength and courage through those trying times and satisfying new airline jobs in the near future.