MHP
Sorry, but I don't have any knowledge about the night/over water story. Might be one of those situations where my choice of the word " story " turns out to be an accurate description.
On the second question, the story re the SA bottom line being better by not delivering aircraft seemed 180 out to me as well. I don't know the details of that contract, but typically, even with a contract that provides progress payments ( and I have no idea if this contract does that ), there is a huge amount of company money residing in those ready to deliver aircraft, and therefore justifiable reason to exert every effort to deliver and receive payment. Perhaps there will be some follow-up reporting that clarifies the issue.