Of course it was the airport that said no. Last time I checked BB owned EXT and FlyBe were just the customers. However EZY would open a nice amount of routes from EXT in time and a certain babyblue airline would be most upset. Given the fact that SOU are now BEE's largest base, EXT probably fear a backlash (Ryanair style!) that they will relocate there. So I guess what i am saying in EXT management have thier hands tied.