I get the impression that Air Blue had no idea how long it would take for Saudi to give the green light.
BHX was very much plan B, along the lines of when bmi chucked their A330s up to MAN whilst they waited for access to LHR. The aircraft was always destined for elsewhere; just nobody knew when it was going to happen.
The fact Saudi gave the green light far sooner than anyone anticipated meant Air Blue had to cut and run from BHX.
I am in no doubt that some of the loads gave the carrier some pleasant surprises, but when put up against access to Saudi and its rich pickings, there really wasn't ever going to be any outcome other than what has happened.