@kcockayne
I'm not sure you can read too much into operations of the past, but as you will also know Leeds did have consistent Summer services to Guernsey for many years when plenty of other UK airports didn't. It does seem strange that there have been a number of years without an operator on the route. However, I take your point and a more modest service would seem a good thing to try to begin with.
LBA are particularly keen to bring in non-based operators to add to passenger numbers during quieter times in the terminal. I'd think that they would be probably offering Aurigny a pretty good deal.