yes, what if we have to evacuate british nationals and we have no airbases (or use of) in the region.
Cyprus wont be around for ever.
what if we we need to provide air support in counter piracy ops. where will this come from?
what if we are carrying out humanitarian ops and need decent amount of helicopters for airlifts. where will this come from
there are many many reasons to have aircraft carriers that side step the need to kill as many people as possible