Lonewolf:
I am also unclear on the following point: did she have the authority to disapprove / reject the flight plan submitted? I don't understand clearly what her position is.
Think of atc as 'traffic police'. they are there to
enforce regulations.
ARO is -usually- part of ATC which enforces ICAO and country rules and regs.
So ARO has executive authority.
Often though to avoid arguing with 'pussy' pilots or dispatchers, they just call
the GND/TWR controller, very difficult to be reached, and when clearance is requested, the involved are informed of the ATS rejection of that flight plan.
If the individual still persist, police follows...
Mere FPL submission, does not make it a 'guarantee' the flight will operate.
IFPS in Europe rejects dozen 'wrong' FPLs every day.
HTH
BTW, Celia's report was
after the accident, on the 29th, apparently forced to make. Also unknown if GND/TWR controller(s) were informed of the FPL issue, in that case they share responsibility.