Interesting to read that flybe have managed to turn a profit this year, and that the airline is in a strong enough financial situation and with an order backlog to consider further acquisitions. Can't imagine with our clapped out Boeings or with the combined airline at BHX/MAN that the competition authorities would allow it, but a flybe/baby merger might be quite something.
Unrelated-ish of course, is there still any news on regional possibly getting the Q400? I also heard a sneaky rumour that regional might start operating more flights into Germany from UK regional airports a la KLM Cityhopper or Air France CityJet.