Originally Posted by Pirate
James.
the EU will never align member states on any significant issue so long as certain major countries refuse to accept directives that go against their national interest.
Wrong James, no EU country will be in a position to refuse to implement any ICAO directive.
The problem at the moment is that flying above age 60 for a captain is contrary to ICAO directive, it is an exception to that rule which allow UK pilots to fly over certain EU countries... and you cannot force any country to accept your exceptions.
Be patient, within 6 month the new ICAO regulation will be adopted and you will be able to overfly France and the other 5 EU countries.