Not so daft, if true.
Forget the operational and personal nightmares involved in flying to LOS, because they're not a factor in whether a route is viable. The bottom line is..............the bottom line. LOTS of money is spent and available on this pairing.
I agree with the above, tho' - cash up front and NOT Niara!
Commiserations to the crews.
Never again would be too soon for me. Character-building, though.