Although this is in danger of moving away from the original topic Manx also flew Manchester to Stansted with the J41, this became a British Regional Airlines route and later CitiExpress, I even remember the EMB-145s doing this route at its peak. I think when Eastern bought the J41's they took over the route. Obviouslly train journeys took longer back then so the route was more viable but I understand that Stansted being the centre of european low-cost airlines at that time before they went into regional airports there were people who would self-connect onto european routes.
amc737