747-436,
This is nothing new.
Everything has to go through BASSA.
Leaving LHR with one crew down has to be approved. They don't always give its permission. Remember the snow storm earlier this year with all those delays and cancellations. BASSA let some five flights leave LHR with one crew down but kept a DFW bound flight (I think it was DFW) on the ground for hours because they thought enough flights had gone with one crew down.
If WW crew are to operate a EF service they need approval. Vice versa too.
TorC,
Do you think that's shocking? If you have access to CF you should sit down and read the comments made by most members.