Why does everyone assume that someone wins a contract by undercutting the encumbant?
I've seen it many times before when a more expensive option is picked for one reason or another. I'm not saying that has happened in this case as I have not one iota of connection to this contract (I'm a blender driver).
I have actually lost count as to how many times another operator has won a contract purely based on the fact that the client no longer wants the current operator their anymore. No slur on RFDS here. I'm simply pointing out that Pelair very well could have been an expensive option contrary to what's being suggested.