Many posters are spectacularly missing the point here
When the decision was taken to replace the Dash with the E175 it was done on a cost saving basis, not to cost more!
It is a known fact that flybe fell out with Bombardier over the despatch reliability (among other technical issues which I will not bore the spotters on this thread with), and this accelerated the need for fleet replacement.
A deal was done to introduce the E175 into the fleet at NIL increase in operating costs, I will repeat that in plain English, the E175 costs the SAME as the Dash to operate, and it has 10 more seats to increase revenue with.
Spandex, wind your neck in, you are not party to the deals that were done, you are just trying to undermine your ex employer, not very honourable.
E75toDus, keep your £10 in your pocket, see above!
Edited to add, before some smart Alec does so, although the E175 burns more fuel than the Dash, the overall deal, finance, maintenance etc brings it out at the same cost basis. Also to give the customer a better product, not pandering, it's called customer satisfaction and repeat customers.
Where it has gone pear shaped now is the issue of being able to fund the new jets, but they will arrive, given time.