The handling agent will indeed purchase the pushback tug and pushback bar for the Dash8-Q400. However this will come at a cost to the handling charges of the airline at Guernsey.
All additional costs for this type of operation will be passed on to the airline.
Purchasing new pushback bars
Purchasing or transportation of pushback tug(s) to the island.
Fuel costs for the pushback tug(s)
Maintenance of the pushback equipment.
Training costs for pushback drivers & headstet training.
The costs of purchasing equipment is not cheap as they are specialised. The handling agent will not absorb these additional costs as it may be what is the difference between a profitable and non profitable base as airlines search for lowest handling fees possible.
Could the additional costs then have a knock on effect that some marginal routes may now be operating at a loss due to the added fees if Flybe absorb. Or this could be passed on to passengers who then may not choose Flybe due to the increase costs. This may mean that a route will also be a loss making one due to lack of demand.
It is very complicated business and nothing is for free these days and costs do get passed on to the customer be it airline or passenger.