Could it be a shortage of accommodation on the island during high season that caused the lower figure in August?

Stewby,
All very late in the day I suggest,they are masterplans only,no planning permission etc,and even if it was given there is a considerable time for them to be up and running.There is no realistic short term hope of any LCC operations,in the meantime FLybe hang on or if they go it's nothing short of disaster for SOU.
Down the road at BOU things continue to pick,and with a Jet 2 Southern expansion announcement in Jan2019,there is every possibility that Bournemouth is on the verge of really advancing rapidly in the not to distant future!

Easy jet usually announce new routes in December for the following summer , so you may still be lucky

Any news yet on which airline and what type of aircraft will LOLO be operating out of SOU for Summer 2019.

All gone very quiet, an announcement on operator was supposed to have been made in Sep/Oct!

This was the latest news back in Oct

MARKEYD
Let's be realistic about Flylolo,it simply isn't going to happen!,Skiathos was at best a interesting experiment!,but sadly will not continue,as for the other proposed destinations ,then how is a aging F70 going to be a completing financial viable prospect?.
Simply until and if SOU get there runway extension allowing loaded 320/738 to operate profitably ,new routes and airlines sent going to arrive at SOU.

Not good news for the Flybe camp, although it has been mooted for some time as we know - Next few weeks will be crucial to see if they can restructure, do a hatchet job & find a buyer, and survive.
Really feel for the staff - I gather from a friend there (although not at SOU) folk are jumping the proverbial ship
Stobart Group - which pulled out of a bid to buy Flybe earlier this year after the airline rejected its offer could be a possible purchaser...(source BBC)

Reverberations for SOU ? Beggars Belief

Well, a few on here have been hoping something happens to Flybe (That's Flybe; the hand that feeds SOU airport), they may get their wish if we go under. What will happen to SOU airport indeed....hmm, I'll have a 4 bed detached please.

A lot of doom around this morning. Yes, I think we will shortly see the end of Flybe as we know it, but the airport will continue - don't forget there was no such thing as Flybe when the present terminal opened in 1995! There will of course be a dramatic reduction in flights, but most of the key routes will continue in one form or another. For example KLM City Hopper would probably add an addition daily flight weekdays, Aurigny and Aer Lingus Regional will continue. Blue Islands and Eastern would probably be 'up and running' after a couple of days too. The Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow routes would very likely be taken over by other operators reasonably quickly, as soon as resources are available, either BMI/Loganair operating high frequency with small aircraft as now, or by another operator (such as easy, using larger equipment but at a reduced frequency). Dublin and Belfast would also probably resume, most likely with Aer Lingus Regional/Stobart. The future of the 'sun routes' with Flybe has been uncertain for some time now, but I wouldn't be surprised to see BA City Flyer having a go at a few of these - perhaps Malaga/Alicante/Palma.

So, yes a short-term serious shock for SOU, but a gradual rebuild to a very sustainable 1M - 1.5M passengers over the next couple of years.

Be positive. It’s up for sale not gone under yet. Who knows BA might want to get back into some of the Regional along with others - if routes make money someone will carve them up. The 10 year plan needs to now be given serious attention - either go for it or forget it - it’s now or never, slimming down will ease the pressure over that period some what given this news. Remember not too long ago it was doom & gloom at BOH and now look, DUB, Prague, & FR expansion. All can change in 12 months.

Staying positive - for Flybe staff and for SOU future

However re: ''I wouldn't be surprised to see BA Cityflyer having a go at the sun routes''
No, I doubt it as they have just pulled out for S19 of their newish outstation sun routes from BRS STN and BHX

Can't see BA having any interest. Flybe route network doesn't route into London LHR / LGW sufficiently for it to be of interest.
My guess is it will either go to venture capital / Stobart / no sale.

BA won't have a say in any of it, IAG however, will. It doesn't matter what BA want, if IAG want a regional arm to compliment the group then they could put in an offer, if they don't, well they don't.