Airbus had their presentation at 1time a few months ago and they showed the figures that 1Time will make $300000 per aircraft p/m more profit than the MD80's on A319 with 156 pax or it will cost 1time $300000 per aircraft less to operate than a MD80! Do the maths, 10 aircraft X $300000 per month extra profit?
So I also can not see how can the MD80 still be the cheapest aircraft to operate, just wonder why airlines in America parking their MD's and ordered 200 Boeings and 200 Airbuses.