For me it is not so easy to claim this as the main reason in 1994-1996. Operating costs are only a part of an entire cost-structure but the efficiency of the MD-80 was not as high as on more modern aircraft. Several (possible) additional reasons come to my mind and these are only my two cents and private researches are not that easy:
– Airtours had the choice to renew leases or to re-shaped their fleet.
– die MD-80 generated very high demand as a used aircraft during this time – a favourable situation if you want to re-market aircraft for lessors.
– Airtours was the only operator of this type in the UK during this time – not a very good situation for an operator compared to other European countries.
– The route-structure of Airtours was highly demanding for MD-83s and the A320 was able to do these missions in a more relaxed way and with even more profitability (because the A320 is able to generate more profit). The 172-seat MD-83s were operated sometimes at the edge of their possible performance with lack of space for ski-equipment etc..
– The retirement of these MD-80s took place when the first round of retirements started at long-time European operators. This was part of a normal cycle and had no effect on other established operators.
– The MD-83 was claimed by at least one European operator to be approx. 10% overall less efficient than the A320 (these margins went up and up over the years but I don´t believe such high numbers). Margins in charter-business were somestimes very narrow and in a move to remain competitive, a replacement was one of the possibilities.
– The MD-80 is not able to match the performance of the A320 or 737-800 and is not part of a family with several members.
The reasons of an airline to switch is not that easy if often claimed. Airtours made a good choice to streamline their fleet to A320s in the catergory of 170/180 seats with the possibility to exand their fleet easily with A321s.
Have a nice day 🙂
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