Expressflight -
The current A320 is definitely used to capacity on other routes - so much so in fact the option to swap it last week to do the FAO was not available. Whilst it would be great to have a batch of A320s for us to play with, someone (much cleverer than myself) in hangar 89 has deemed that they can be more full more of the time at other EZY bases.
You are entirely correct regarding the trees. I'm lead to believe that this has long been a sticking point with all parties involved but which will hopefully be concluded soon.
Ofcourse once the whole fleet is shiny A320 neos these matters won't bother us!
As a wee aside, at present with the A319 the following (ballpark) takeoff weights are where some double (and triple) checking becomes necessary:
RWY24 nil wind - 61.8-62t ish.
RWY06 5kt tw - generally upwards of 63t.
I must stress that these are in no way official eJ performance figures but are merely off the top of my head.