Holding, if I had to choose. The current procedures are better. Why you ask.
Because of the distance from the airfield we are able to hold at a higher altitude which if I remember correctly is more efficient.
It almost always leads to a continuous descent while holding which is in my opinion more efficient.
If holding for a time that exceeds my fuel requirements I can divert to an alternate airfield without having to use more fuel to climb to a suitable altitude, again more efficient.
If I do have to divert it it more likely that i will get a more direct routing. If the hold is close to Dubai fuel will be burned having to exit the complex airspace and no doubt a continuous climb to altitude would be interrupted on the way to the alternate. At desdi an almost direct route to auh with continuous descent is likely. From Bubin the same could be said for Muscat or others.
I'm not sure but i think the holding airspace is larger then it would be in close thus allowing more flexibility for extended outbound legs which is more efficient.
Don't change it.
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