Yup UULR could be a QF specialty - most other airlines (eg BA) won't bother as they can tap a lot of markets with an LR fleet
You are right about the proportion of relative costs - BUT you forget the management...
"lets see - we're not making enough profit to trigger my bonus... we need to cut costs- cheaper 'planes? Thought not.... Fuel?? Whoops ......... Landing fees???? Oh.......
SO.......... HOW do I show people I'm the very model of modern manager? Be Ruthless?? Fire the cleaners!! OK but that doesn't make much difference ... and no-one notices (for a while anyway... let's see....... those mouthy, arrogant, uniform wearing snobs who only put in a few days a month.......... hand me the list...."
PEOPLE costs are one of the few things that management actually have any control over