I know that is the policy. I was just wondering if they have the ability to actually make an exception, or they actually cannot make that exception. Because normally you don't cancel 90% of your flights (or whatever it is).
I would think the smart thing is to have a consolidation plan in place, so you ask people if they want to be moved to another flight (basically the only flight that week).
Technically it is not their responsibility, but neither is it their responsibility when people have visa issues (as in not allowed to enter a country) and airlines have been refunding for that reason.