I wouldn't be at all surprised if BHD were encouraging EI/EIR to start regional routes even if they will be in competition with Flybe - Flybe's OTP of late has been woeful mostly down to reliability issues with the Q400s (2 inbounds today alone were over 4 hours late).
If EI/EIR do expand then Bristol could also be considered after it was unceremoniously dropped by Flybe.