BA and air traffic control seem to be in some sort of mad stand off

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

According to bbc news BA are insisting on landing 10-12 planes at Heathrow despite NATS/ ATC saying airspace closed.

Surely BA wouldn't land planes unles they were sure it was safe to do so. Let's face it a crash would completely ruin them once and for all.

I can't believe they are doing a stand off with real people. just can't believe it.
they had better bloody go to newcastle which is open.

Perhaps BA is that desperate that they're prepared to risk it....

I read that they are planning landing 12 long haul flights at Heathrow, which have now set off, but will not be landing for 12 hours or so, by which time, they are expecting conditions to be OK.

its not up to ba to decide all the rules, science, damaged aircraft etc are wrong at this point just because they are desperate. yes things may need to be revised but you dont tear up the safety legislation just cos you dont like them.

Think they were due to start to land just after 7pm, but it is that now and airspace is still closed.

On the "stranded abroad thread" someone's DH is on such a flight - was due to land at Heathrow at 7pm, but looks like it may have diverted to Brussels.

Is Newcastle's runway long enough for a large long haul type plane? Doncaster has a really long runway but don't think that is open yet.

7:38 is first expected landing (stupid one handed typing slow)

keeping up with it better than me

bbc update:
1 going to brussels. well done Hula other going to newcastle.

radrvirtuel

caa say no flights have permission to land at heathrow.

OMG what are BA playing at

Did they think ATC at Heathrow would just say, oh OK then as it's you go on and land!

Bloody money grabbing idiots.

I think BA asking for compensation over this tells us all we need to know about their management (ie loopy )

Now have even more sympathy for the union - I thought Willie Walsh was a bit unbalanced before all this, but now...!

BA must be about to go under.

I do think that the airlines may need some sort of international aid though. This is a massive cost to some and there will surely be some losses/company collapses.

well BA appear to have won

they landed at heathrow?

What happened? we're currently stranded in the Caribean (what a shame ) and not due a flight back till next Tuesday.
Everyone else in the resort seems to be in the same position.

All Uk airports are due to open at 10pm today, so don't think it is just about BA TBH. It had be on the cards most if today that some airports would evebtually open, even if only temporarily.

I doubt the authorities would open UK airspace and airports unless they were confident it was safe, not just because BA wanted them to.

Not sure it is about BA winning.

We saw 3 planes over S LOndon, heading towards either H'row or Gatwick at about 4-4.30 pm - highish in the sky, higher than they would normally be over us in S LOndon if taking off or landing.

Yes, press is reporting that airspace will open again at 10pm

v weird situation all round!

thought the ash cloud(s) were back in UK air space?

Am a bit gobsmacked by the whole evening!!! Not quite sure what to make of it.

press release
very very unusual for manufacturers to suddenly change tolerances like that!

bloody hope they do the thorough engine inspections like they are supposed to. (dh says should take a few hours to do a proper inspection)

Wasn't there a COBRA meeting earlier in the evening? Doesn't look like the Met Office agree with opening up air space, unless I misunderstood?

Yes, reckon there was some serious arm-twisting at the meeting