We have plenty of military flights and so-called State flights that are buzzing around Europe in RVSM airspace, but aren't RVSM equiped. These flights are allowed to be there but you as the ATC may refuse them if you are too busy. Funny thing is that we work these aircraft every day without too much of a hassle but let a "normal" airliner call in and say that he is suddenly unable-RVSM and the folks immediatly push him down from FL 380 to FL 280. It wasnt my sector, and I didnt want to tell the guys what to do, but nobody phoned the next sector to ask wether they would accept this flight or not. Maybe a panic reaction??!?
I would ask in the same breath that I mention my snag in, if it were at all possible to stay at cruise or climb above(if you're able).
However, my experience with GVA and the french is that they dont even accept approved non-RVSM flights
