When Eastern originally operated Manchester - Stansted it was a very profitable route and had lots of supporters.
Unfortunately, when Air Berlin operated this route and offered fares at next to nothing the passenger thought that Eastern were taking the mick with prices. Obviously Air Berlin could not sustain the low fares as they soon pulled of the route.
Eastern then restarted the service but only got the really loyal supporters of the original service at the appropriate fares to justify a regular service 3 to 4 times a day. Sadly not enough people returned and therefore the service has ended. Well done LCC's