Europe’s travel chaos eases, Heathrow still hit

Air and train travel throughout Europe finally began to return to normal.

Temperatures have picked up in Britain and about 70 percent of Heathrow's planned departures - some 900 flights - are expected to operate Wednesday.

Airlines are trying to clear a backlog of canceled flights, after iced-over runways and planes triggered days of chaos and misery for those seeking to travel elsewhere for Christmas.

Heavy criticism of the airport's inability to cope with snow prompted Colin Matthews, the chief executive of operator BAA, to announce he would forgo his bonus and keep his focus on "keeping people moving and rebuilding confidence in Heathrow."

It was not immediately clear what Matthew's bonus amounts to, but BAA said his salary and bonuses last year came to 944,000 pounds ($1.46 million).

Although many passengers finally got on the move Wednesday, some were still stranded and bitter about Heathrow's management.

"We kept asking questions," said Michelle Sorrell, who was hoping to finally board a plane to Australia with her husband and two children. "We were given some foam mattresses and a couple of blankets and the rest was up to us."

Airport officials placed two tents outside Terminal 3 to handle overflow passengers, but crowds were smaller and only one was used; Kazinform cites Arab News.

See www.arabnews.com for full version