On that basis you'd prefer BE to get it, they are showing a genuine interest in developing niche routes at the airport and having dependable profitable routes like MAN and BHX on their schedule makes them more likely to try other new routes...maybe even base or overnight an aircraft at some point in the future.
What niche routes have Flybe devolped. MAN taken becasue Bmibay left, LBA taken becasue Ryanair left and EDI know as demad as RE left GWY. I see not differance between what BE and EI want with NOC. EI want to take BHX since Bmibaby left so both carriers are doing the same taken routes that have being dropped by others.
Then again there would be room for both on the route and prices would be kept low as a result. Bmibaby were carrying over 100 odd passegners per flight. (monthly stats on BHX page)