Of course we could try to help improve NATS' revenue stream.....putting them into a better position [and frame of mind ] to negotiate. Route Charge Avoidance is at epidemic levels.......certainly at Swanwick we all know.....operators file minimum UK mileage but pilots ask for the opposite, knowing that no increase in charges will result once airborne. This happens every night/quiet hours/weekend and has done for years. The loss in revenue runs into £Millions.
Why? well ATCO's have not traditionally paid much attention to the revenue side of the business......coupled with a desire to get traffic from A to B as efficiently as possible. Operators will continue as long as the loophole exists.....ATCO's will continue until someone tells them not to.