There's a lot of talk about cross-subsidies etc. but that can apply any time anything is subsidised. Should Loganair have PSOs thrown at them about UK services when they have 1 PSO route from Derry?
If Air Wales have their act together they could bid for the PSOs this time (same equipment after all) - Arran held up the Dept to ransom a few years back so some competition would save the taxpayers a few bob.