This is a common event in the introduction of long-haul aircraft. BA did exactly the same when the 777 first came along, using it on London to Paris for a while. It enables all the newly-rated crews to get some sectors completed, which is more difficult to achieve in the hours available in a month on long-haul routes. Without this you may be reduced to non-revenue training flights.
It also gives the airline a bit of a
PR lift. The flights may well go out full.