thought that this might be a marketing opportunity for Brum and less down-time for the equipment
It wouldn't make much difference to the downtime - an a/c can come back to a hub / base, and be turned around to go out to a different destination just as quickly as it could be on a continuation.
As for marketing, they are already doing that. Regional airports love to market destinations you can reach through one stop connections - others do it via KLM and Amsterdam. Look at the people mover, that's all about China, not Dubai, and thankfully no longer that screaming baby!