Why is a Southend-Caen route being considered, when London City-Deauville already exists ? LCY-DOL sustains a F50 just 2x per week.
Yes, places like Bayeux or the D-Day beaches are a big tourist draw, along with other places like Honfleur and inland Normandy, and I know LCC fares will create demand where a F50 can't, but the business case as a whole still seems a bit weak.
Caen looks to me more like Ryanair / Stansted territory than anything from Southend.