I believe these delay costs etc are now a very significant factor for airlines when making decisions on whether to start or continue with a route - passengers don't realise that they might have won "rights" on one hand but they have also lost on the other hand in terms of lost services to their city etc - especially on 3rd level, thin routes. I also understand that the last flight, late night, get the folks home at any cost approach by airlines has also gone as it's cheaper to cancel.