Yes - most of the 12 airlines are probably wondering what he is talking about.
I remember a similar press story "leaked" by a regional airport over here in which the airport boasted about "x airlines" they are talking with. In most cases, this "talking" was little more than sending a letter to the airlines telling them how great the airport was and that they should start services asap. Guys I knew at one airline that was "targeted" could not stop laughing when they read that the airport was "talking" with them - if at all, it was strictly a one-way conversation.