Phileas - The plan from your era may have been combined for one season but in the latter days of BA and ASW's time it was seen as the only way. Yes people do not want to ideally fly via NQY/PLH but based on the population and demand it was a compromise that joe public was willing to put up with to be able to fly into the region.
Oxford is yet to show that scheduled flights are viable but give them 10/10 for giving it a go.
I