CYM
We know that Airlines choose the routes but it is the airports that offer the deals and in turn control the routes. In the case of Flybe duplicating routes with Eastern and bmi they were offered the same cost cutting deal. Now we have all three Airlines paying exactly the same on exactly the same routes. How stupid? Deals at Airports are available for new routes not the routes that already exist. This has been a management monumental error of judgement and there will only be casualties.
Look at any other Airport in the UK. If a route already exists and a new airline wants to operate that particular route, they may but they will pay the going rate and not the discounted one. That is how it works, always has done and always will.
The management at Cardiff should be held accountable when the Airlines pull off the routes in the future. ( Which won't be long ).
I now know that bmi have decided not to base any more aircraft in Cardiff for the time being as a direct result of this management decision.