I don't think 9 years would ever be considered a feasible amount of time to wait for profitability or break even, is there demand for Belfast? Do many Cumbrians drive to Newcastle to fly there? Or get the ferry? I have no idea...
Southend makes sense because... Well it's "London" and Dublin makes sense for the onward connections mainly, but Belfast? I really don't know. I'd have thought Belfast could work to BHD with Citywing