Is it not to do with the 737-800's, and their performance.
Bmi operated Verona direct from BHD with Airbus aircraft in the past, and have a feeling teleticket operated a Futura charter to Malaga operated by a 737-300/400 good few years ago!!
Can see why FR would want the extension, obviously with their 737's, however with the talk that other European airlines are lined up to use BHD should the extension be granted, who are these airlines and are they intending to use the 737-800's, because if not, could they not start operating basically immediately.
So Airbus can do near European routes unrestricted as can regional jets as shown by FlyBE and Air Dolomiti, so very interested to know, besides Ryanair who these other carriers are. Would have guessed at SN Brussels, but they'd probably use regional jets, Air France and KLM again would've thought regional jets if considering operations into BHD.