RIP all the poor souls who perished in this man made MH-17 tragedy.
The blame game has started in earnest. But what the traveling public wants to know is could this have been averted?
Yes certainly it could have! As soon as this conflict started some reputed airlines re routed their flight paths avoiding overflying this region. Most did not, till this tragedy enforced them. Maybe the NOTAMS were not forceful enough, and the air corridor was open, but still in the interest of safety why was an alternate route not used avoiding the conflict zone?
Because diversions COSTS money, which is of paramount importance to airline managements. What about lives? What do they cost? Any tangible amount possible?
Airlines globally, are constantly flying into & out of troubled spots and airports with their fingers crossed, wanting their cash registers ringing. Do civilian airlines really need to do this?
Its up to their managements to ascertain the risks vs profit motive, both to passengers & crew thoroughly BEFORE another tragedy like this occurs in other parts of this troubled world.
Methinks greed over rules need.
