Sadly crew costs were a factor in the MAD base closure, among a host of others that made the situation untenable. There are a number of pilots with their heads in the sand believing that somehow what they earn has no affect on profits and sustainability. The bottom line is, however, that like all our households, money-in must exceed money-out. Basically no part of the operation was attractive financially and easyJet pulled the plug, simply because they had to. As it happens, the Spanish government had made things so difficult that the business case to continue was evaporating daily, although the rumour doing the rounds (completely unsubstantiated I might add) is that they are looking for incentives to stop us and others leaving. If at any time in the future easyJet does base aircraft in Spain again, I guarantee the new contract will be way less attractive than the current one.