That said, correct me if I'm wrong but EIR does have active ATR72-212's in the fleet? 1 or 2, I'm not sure if the one damaged at SNN ever returned to service? Can anyone shed light on this? I did read the aircraft based at Galway was to be put into storage and with less PSO routes they may be able to free up a 212? One thing I can never quite see is an ATR42 ever flying as EIR, somehow, unless there was a total refit of the cabin, and would that really be worth it? Probably more feasable to lease 72's.
I do believe BFS would be a brilliant base for them to expand on thinner routes and as previously said, fill gaps like LBA and BHX. BFS is well situated to serve lots of areas if not all of Northern Ireland without getting caught in city traffic.