I completely agree with you with the fact that the inflexible nature of the curfew is becoming silly, and if Rudd wants to seriously fix emissions, it'd be a great way to start.
One part of the dispensation requirements they often don't go into is availability of accomodation, and foreseeability of the issue. A lot of the dispensations granted seem to be based on the fact that there is very little accomodation available, and if there is, then the dispensation is not approved.
It is all definately "secret mens business", and as you say, often similar requests get different answers.
The whole thing could be solved by modifying the curfew to allow certain exemptions. A start would be how aircraft that have been given permission to schedule in the shoulder between 5am and 6am, can only land on 34. If a simple exemption was given to say that the aircraft must land on 34, unless the wind was outside the AFM limitations, when they can land on 16. This only applies to those aircraft with scheduling approval to do so. Alone this would result in the saving of hundreds of thousands of litres of fuel a year, both in potential holding, actual holding, and flow on effects to the domestic flights that end up holding for 40mins to allow all those aircraft in at 6.
If there is foul weather in the area, the airport should also remain open. During Low Vis ops, Heathrow's curfew is lifted, and the same should apply for thunderstors that cause the airport to have its ramp staff leave the apron for thunderies. This should not need ministerial approval, it should be automatically applied, and reviewed periodically to ensure compliance.
I do not mind the curfew, as long as it allows a practical operation of the airport, and at the moment, it does not.
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