I suppose the problem with EDI and Belfast is that there is neither an obvious brand for RE to operate under or other airline to enter the routes. flyBe clearly have no interest in allowing their brand to be used on domestic routes in competition with their new LCY routes. RE could use the Aer Lingus brand to BHD, but it wouldn't make much sense to EDI, which is presumably why they have franchised with BE in the first place.