Why a hidden agenda? Individuals living and working in a deeply rooted culture of inertia don't necessarily see how shortsighted they are - which is what prompted me to suggest the European regs were heavily influenced by the French. Monsieur Blériot would undoubtedly feel quite at home.
Being on the "fringes" of the industry until recently, I don't claim to be "in the know" - but for so many participants to be permanently on the edge of bankruptcy and expecting to lose money makes it obvious that there's a serious mental block somewhere ... and it's not in the ranks of pilots, techicians, cabin crew, airport managers or ATC.