Originally Posted by
SweetChariotXV
Obviously they are being kept in holds to ensure they arrive after 2100z, and not a minute before!
Even though the decision has been made to reopen EGLL, Nats presumably want to be seen to be retaining the upper hand. Silly really. They should be more concerned with just getting them back on terra firma - must be some tired crew and pax up there, needlessly holding in my opinion.
So let me get this right. NATS didn't want the flights to land because someone couldn't bring themselves to do the authorisation (I doubt the ash conditions improved), but were quite content to have them circling in a holding pattern in the "ash contamination" area.
I wonder what the Daily Mail will have to say about this tomorrow.