Airports: EU wastes no time

Yes, another useful crisis. Reports the Wall Street Journal, the European Commission criticized airport operators in western Europe for being ill-prepared to cope with bad weather.

The commission, the European Union's executive arm, may draft new rules if airport operators can't voluntarily take action to plan better for severe weather, Siim Kallas, the commission's transport-policy chief, said in a statement.

"I am extremely concerned about the level of disruption to travel across Europe caused by severe snow," Mr. Kallas said. "It is unacceptable and should not happen again."

Yes, another useful crisis. And the Commission is so good at democratically preparing rules, isn't it. Who knows, by the time Heathrow next fouls up, the Commission may have taken powers to fine us for not enforcing its rules properly.