Assuming that Ryanair has quit Manchester because of failure to get a deal with MAG may be a mistake - I know thats what the
PR said, but it still more likely to be another story.
If you were running Leeds airport and Ryanair asked you for a special deal, what would you ask for in return?
How about, 'ok Ryanair, you get the deal, but in return, you drop the Manchester and Doncaster routes, to give new Leeds routes a better shot at success through the winter'
Ryanair lose nothing, they gain a new base with a decent deal, and the ability to press both Manchester and Doncaster into a corner in future.
Hard negotiation but good business for Leeds and for Ryanair.
As for based aircraft, Ryanair will always go where they think the money is... why is that a surprise to anyone?
RYR are not alone in changing their minds on routes and bases later, if the market changes. BA change their minds every year in one form or another, there are countless examples of
PR announced policy by BA that changes or quietly disappears few months later (look at Open Skies for example).
RYR will base more at BOH I am quite sure, but not before Spring 2010.
FF