Austro7
It depends on how many of these fares are available of course. FLYBE can spread the risk over many routes, a luxury not available to EMX.
Flybe having a monopoly is as bad as EMX or anyone else having a monopoly. I have not travelled with EMX to LCY because I never seem able to find a reasonable fare and to me VLM are much better value with better service. It is just a pity their schedule is not great for IOM based passengers.
Agree with you that LGW South terminal is a S***hole but for good or bad the days of regulated air travel have gone for good.