Depends if the flight left the gate or not. If the a/c came off the blocks you could argue that it operated, albeit for a short period. As I understand it, pax were given free transportation and accommodation to LTN and put on the next available flight within a (relatively) short period of time. Frankly, under these circumstances I wouldn't even bother to claim as in my opinion the airline did everything possible under the prevailing circumstances. If you want dozens of a/c and crews to be standing by all around the country Spotty M, you might expect fares to increase ten fold!