Roland, in the airline world there's ALWAYS a crew waiting to take it back. Our aircraft don't ever sit idle on sunkissed aprons! If only! Perhaps in the good old days.
I don't doubt the truth of what you say about legal process but if we're talking about a national emergency, hopefully the neddies would have some volts applied.
Vasco, your issue re. AAR fit isn't really swayed by it being an airline contract. It would take the same amount of time if it was away trooping Squaddies for MoD.