Being told that certain routes are closed due to danger area activity so rerouting is in operation, surely that is standard and just accepted?
Yes, it is also standard practice to promulgate the closure giving sufficient notice.
The service offered by Swanwick Military is published in the AIP, therefore why not promulgate the closure? Surly our armed forces plan their exercises in advance?
Instead the service was withdrawn without any notice for a period of four days. We had aircraft already airborne where the fuel calculation had been based upon the flight plan route, therefore eurocontrol had not been informed either. The re-route impacted upon our reserve.
This closure should have been notified in advance through the correct channels.
I understand that there has been a u-turn and that normal service has resumed.