BA "intelligence" said not to fly over the area ..
- yes - a question worth asking - how did they come to that decision?
.. but there were certainly carriers out there that knew to stay away from the area....
- not including, I understand, LH and AirIndia who obviously had not come to the same conclusion. The need for an over-arching 'intelligence' and airspace inhibition is paramount. Airlines need guidance. You simply cannot 'avoid' all conflict areas.
I recall operating BA schedules, flying over 'the former Jugoslavia' during the conflict with not a word from 'company' about it nor where not to divert - and looking down at the gun flashes on the ground and wondering......