The one and only reason Stobart is even contemplating CAX-SEN is the government money the route will attract.
Apart from the fact that Stobart have been planning a CAX-SEN service since well before the Regional Fund was suggested.
This quote from the Carlisle News and Star
On 19/12/2008 Carlisle City Council gave planning permission to allow Eddie Stobart and Stobart Rail to move their operations from Kingstown to the airport. Mr Tinkler said “Now they have approved it we will get on and build it. This safeguards the jobs at Kingstown and will create others, which is good news. We are committed to upgrading the runway and passenger facilities and we’ve been in talks with potential operators. The intention is to have flights to Southend Airport which, when a new [railway] station opens next year, will be 50 minutes from London.”
Pesky things, facts.