I too would normally take Spanners word as gospel on matters CX related, but this time there is more to these rumours.
Im not sure where spanners works exactly (London or Manchester), but according to the Hammersmith office, CX are not happy about the articles for some reason and for one of the first times since ive been asking about rumours regarding MAN, would neither confirm or deny them.
Like i say, spanners is probably right as usual but there is something afoot, even if its laying the groundwork for flights for when the A350 arrives.
If the article was an april fool, it was a rather elaborate and detailed one!