When BE/flybe ordered the first Q400 we laughed ... who's going to want to travel in those things, we said, the passengers will just walk away. Give it a year or so and they'll try to dispose of them (but who's going to buy used turboprops eh?). The future is regional jets.
The company's response was "the passengers don't care if its got props, as long as they can travel for £20 or £30", and we can make this company profitable.
So who was right?
Well done JF for having the courage to stick your (our?) necks out.