Not as easy. Unless they can claim weather related issues or force majeur (bomb threat, security issues etc..) they can't do that.
The reason for the plane delay has to be stated on IATA reports and systems.
Technical issue is not an exception, for example, even if out of the airline's control.
They used to do this more, but they probably realized that the legal cost to sustain systemic lying is not financially viable in the long term.
Better to pay out and record a loss.
