We have a crazy system in London where aircraft hold in the air because it is cheaper than holding on the ground.
Even in this traffic downturn aircraft can hold for 30 minutes in the stacks rather than being held on the ground saving fuel.
I've seen aircraft get airborne from Manchester for a 45 minute flight, knowing there was 60 minutes of holding at Bovingdon.
Couldn't the airlines have a bit of a common sense approach to the enviroment ?