Speculation: BA puts pressure on government?
This is pure speculation on my part but I was looking on flightradar24.com early this evening between 7 and 8 and I saw a few planes in British airspace. You can check out the call signs which gives you information on what the plane is.
I saw the Vancouver flight which was the first plane to land at Heathrow in a holding pattern over the isle of man. What were they waiting for, they knew Heathrow was closed when they set off and it was still closed so what is going on?
Strangely enough the airspace opened soon after and the plane landed.
Now my question is why did British Airways let planes fly towards Heathrow knowing that the airport was closed. Did British Airways force the government to open the airspace by saying they had 12 planes that were going to land at Heathrow regardless of what the government said? Did British Airways put the planes in a holding pattern while some last minute negotiations took place and the government gave in. After all if that was the case and the planes did land at Heathrow the government would have to prosecute the national flag carrier during a general election campaign and for what, landing planes despite a air movement restriction? Provided they landed safely which they did it would seem like a mis managed government storm in a tea cup and certainly not a vote winner.
Was British airspace opened on safety grounds or were British Airways up to something?
I shall stop speculating and conspiracy theory navel gazing and leave it up to you dear reader.
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2 comments:
What most likely happened is that the National Air Traffic Service, working with geologists and meteorologists were aware that the ash situation was improving, and likely continue improving, and planned to open the airspace yesterday evening. They'd have known this some hours before, and as a courtesy to BA let them know. Or, possibly BA were flying people with London tickets from Vancouver to Spain, but while they were over the Atlantic heard from NATS that Heathrow would be open and were able to divert their flights.
What definitely did not happen is that BA sent a dozen bandit flights on a Heathrow or bust mission. Such an action would cause an airline to loose their license to operate, or at the very least any airline pilot who ignores a direct order not to land from Air Traffic Control would be looking for a new line of work.
Of course it could be that I'm part of the conspiracy and they've got to me too. :-)
Ah but even Sky news is making the same speculation I did.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Willie-Walsh-Criticises-UK-No-fly-Zone-Planes-Flying-After-BA-Boss-Plays-Game-Of-Brinkmanship/Article/201004315611447?lpos=UK_News_First_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15611447_Willie_Walsh_Criticises_UK_No-fly_Zone%3A_Planes_Flying_After_BA_Boss_Plays_Game_Of_Brinkmanship
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