i guess the viability of the routes was on the line in the current climate, especially when resources need to be channeled to battling Aurigny.
i would question their wisdom though in wanting to go head to head with aurigny in bristol and southampton when other business is available at bournemouth - there is a market there it just needs the right approach.
you cannot reduce frequency again and again and expect to still access the same demand pool, demand will reduce at a similar or worse rate than the frequency reductions.
bournemouth could do very well with a new Saab 340 type operation (with a branded franchise airline like virgin or ba) to places like JER/GCI daily, MAN daily, BHD, CDG etc.
last time this was touted was back in '91 under the name of Southern Airways.
BOH has a catchment of 5m people (Ryanair drive-times) but almost 550,000 within 20 mins drive time - not incl SOU. So there is definately a market.