I did not start this thread intending to debate the politics of the flights and governments involved.
My question is more basic. Is it acceptable or legal under ICAO agreements for anyone to play this game. Flight plans and call signs are
an essential part of global aviation. If one party starts messing around with the framework how long before others do the same?
If an atco suspects there is something wrong with a call sign or flight plan is there a duty to report it to someone higher up.
I find it hard to believe that questions must not have been asked in quite a few towers as to what was going on. Or are there certain situations that are outside the remit of a basic atco?
I cannot believe that regular commercial flight crews crossing the Atlantic and Europe were not also aware of this call sign from a defunct carrier being used.