'As the press release also mentions "slots"as one of the problems that had to be solved, I guess that they had to put an ATR72 on the route as allegedly LCY does not offer new slots for anything up to 50 seats (which leaves the question how Sun Air recently got their slots for LCY-BLL - the only explanation may be that they got them from the BA slot pool) - unless Aer Arann (or the IOM) bought the slots at LCY from someone else.@
LCY slots cannot be traded - bought or sold. However another operator could 'lend slots' for the winter with the agreement of all concerned. While a new operator makes an application. In the present finacial situation existing operators may be trimming back their operation.
Only slots at LGW, LHR, STN & MAN allocated by ACL are traded. However 'Sky Space' if available is no good if there is no stands available on the ground.
LCY arrivals at peak periodseg before 09:15 is subject to an additional charge -£300 at last check.
Good luck to RE getting IOM-LCY