For info: Northern North Sea Crews (UK)
It has become obvious over the last couple of days that many crews operating in/out of Aberdeen are unaware of (or the implications of) recent changes to Gas Venting Avoidance Areas, with particular reference to St Fergus.
The upper limit of this avoidance area has been raised to 3600ft and we in ATC are supposed to make sure you avoid it! Therefore, any flight in/out of the Ice Station on HMR north of 047 at 3000ft will be required to either dogleg via SHD or by tactical vector north of airport (only viable departing 34) or go over it - not always practical I know.
The AIP entry stating that if under Aberdeen ATC "control" you can go through at 3000ft will be removed in the near future as it was based on the previous upper limit of 3200ft.
I trust this helps keep you clued in on why some (up to now almost routine) direct routeings are no longer offerred.
Regards
DD