It's ok if EI go to BHD for rock bottom fees but that surely knocks the possibility of US flights on the head, I doubt they could go back
Also can BFS management afford for EI to leave, I think the delay is due to BFS management doing anything the can to keep them, if not they better start knocking on every airlines door, possible monarch? Maybe that rumour of VS on Orlando is true, they could do a great W rotation from gatwick on A330