The operator of London's Heathrow Airport will invest £50 million (US$80.8 million) in order to avoid the same nightmares experienced during the recent winter's snow events. Though we're talking about snow, what ensued was literally a procedural and communication meltdown. Have there been lessons learned?

The snow chaos that gripped Heathrow Airport this past winter caught its operator BAA by surprise. After passengers were left stranded for days because aircraft were literally frozen to the tarmac, BAA commissioned its own investigation and the report is out. According to BBC News, the report says:

• The potential impact of bad weather was "not fully anticipated."
• Airlines and BAA had no agreed procedure for dealing with such a situation.
• BAA did not have some of the necessary equipment.
• There was a failure of communication within BAA, and with airlines.
• Confused and conflicting messages were given to passengers.
• Many passengers "were left in distress" as some airlines did not fulfill their obligations when flights were cancelled or delayed.

BAA will use the investment to improve procedures, communication, training and equipment. The report makes 14 recommendations for BAA, airlines, regulators and air traffic control.