That doesn't explain this move by the Arg government which hasn't even given a plausible argument either. Whether airlines fly half empty planes or not, trying to keep their slots or pilots and hours, is no concern of any government, so I ask again - conspiracies aside, why?
There's been a lot of angry customers in Europe who have had their tickets to most world destinations cancelled yet weeks and months later are still waiting to be refunded. The airlines were giving them vouchers rather than cash which has now been ruled a no no.
Whether this Governments decision to stop tickets being sold is because of that is anyones guess. Protecting Aerolines comes well down my list of reasons. Noone I know would ever want to fly with them....they don't fly to the UK anyway do they?