UK Snow

Fast, low-cost travel fuels modern globalization. During the busy winter holiday season, schedules are tight and seats few. So a few inches of snow, unusual for Europe, have paralyzed travel in the United Kingdom and some neighboring nations. Reports suggest that Heathrow Airport – managed by BAA, controlled by Ferrovial, a Spanish firm – has a need for additional snow plows and de-icing equipment. Some critics call for military intervention. “The company, which is expected to announce pre-tax profits of nearly £1 billion this year, spent just £500,000 on equipment to deal with snow and ice,” reports the Telegraph. Stranded travelers and political leaders express second thoughts about handing over operations of the basic service to a for-profit firm, and question if privatization of airports isn’t a mistake. – YaleGlobal