Pug,
perhaps I am better informed than you, but it doesn't really matter.
Facts are that "Tour operators" have indeed taken up enough seats to guarantee that the flights will happen, the rest will be on sale to the general public.
As Mr O'Liary stated, if things work out, Ryanair will review their options at the end of the season.
Alicante should be a sustainable summer route for any airport - given HUYs management failure in the recent past to do anything constructive without the power of MAG, if it isn't Ryanair in 2012 they don't deserve anyone.