In your second paragraph you say that most of the publishers wanted to change the characters, but the developer simply said other publishers. Going from others to most is a pretty large leap. For example; "there are other Muslims who are violent" as opposed to "most Muslims are violent".

I still have no idea why publishers still do this.

You mean the airline may suddenly reverse decades of policy and implement this, despite denying it?

The airline in question has stated that this rumor is "false" and "a fabrication."