A complete Fiasco , agreed. This is where I feel the regulatory bodies need to protect the general public.If Airlines choose to divert and manage a SCHEDULE under the disguise of "operational reasons". I feel the CAA should investigate the consumers rights and penalise the airlines accordingly. ( Just like they penalise if you miss curfew). A totally different story if its for REAL operational reasons. The EU allready imposes heavy fines on airlines who cancell flights ( hence the planning from Dubai Opps to try and avert this). Problem is that it needs to be re examined. I feel after this fiasco the rules might well change in favour of the flying public. Especially also when we are going into a new era of enviromentally sensitive (green) regulations aimed at reducing emissions. ie. ( lets just burn another 7 tonnes of gas while we quickly reposition the aircraft to LGW).I really dont think you can point fingers at the Captain as it was safe. This was a COMMERCIAL decision and had nothing to do with the gentemans ability to be in command. Different story if passengers demanded to deplane at LHR , or the crew was fatigued or the pax became disruptive as a result. Thats His domain , but the Commercial decision rests with EK.
this a reminds me a a Grand Prix a few years ago where the Ferrari pit BOSS told the driver who was winning ( cant recall who it was , think it was Barracello)) to fall back to Second place to allow Schumaker to overtake him just at the finish line to ensure that Ferrari would win the drivers championship. Great for Ferrari , but not sporting. Subsequently it lead to a rethink of the rules by the governing body and now its not considered fair play.