Heathrow rejected government offers to help clear snow: reports

UK Transport Secretary Philip Hammond stated he offered military assistance to BAA to assist in clearing snow from London Heathrow in Dec-2010, but was rejected by CEO Colin Matthews, who reportedly said he did not want "unskilled labour" (Telegraph/Daily Mail, 14-Mar-2011). Mr Matthews said the government's offer had come "too late" as by the time the offer was made the problem had been solved. Mr Hammond said the severe winter weather had cost the UK economy around GBP1.5 billion. BAA maintained they required equipment to clear the runways, taxiways and aprons rather than "muscle".