Who to blame
Robert Dr_gonzo:
If you want to lay blame in this case, maybe you should be investigating airport authorities. Especially here in Asia.
In our company we have had several diverts in Manilla and elsewhere around Asia because of a "VIP movement".
A VIP movement is when some dignitary is using the airport, so here in Asia they shut the whole airport to incoming traffic. If you happen to be inbound you wait. You can wait along time.
Most weather or system related delays are known about well in advance, or more fairly the potential for delays is known. These potential delays are planned for to the best of our abilities as flight crew and airlines. However VIP movements are not announced with enough advance notice for anyone to carry enough fuel to wait them out. Especially when you might be at the end of a 10 to 15 hour flight. They can create up to one hour or more delay. The reason being, once the airport is closed to incoming traffic, the traffic backs up. So if you are the last in the que, chances are you are not carrying and extra hour and a half of fuel. The enviromental cost alone of every aircraft carrying an extra 1 1/2 hours fuel over and above normal fuel would be prohibitive. In the Manilla case it is the best choice to land at Clark and wait it out. You save fuel, and Clark is right there beside Manilla so you really do not add much time to the delay.
So put the blame where it should be applied : on the countries and airports that slam the door with little or no notice when they need to get someone "important" away on holliday.
FG