The bureaucracy in Mediterranean countries is frustrating and operating into Spanish airports is a nightmare. Everyone knows this basic feature of those countries blessed with warmer weather. Things are far, far better in Britain - as any pilot will tell you; as any person wishing to sign up for new domestic services will tell you - but you have to go into Northern Europe to find a sensible approach to efficiency. In Britain it's all about rules, rules, rules at the expense of common sense. I prefer the Dutch, German or Scandinavian approach.