An airport has outperformed its rival.

Gatwick Airport embarrassed its rival Heathrow by coping better with wintry weather, an airline has said.

Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantic’s director of operations told MPs that Gatwick ran a smoother operation than Heathrow during the mid-December snow.

Speaking to the House of Commons Transport Committee Koster said the snow plan that had been drawn up by BAA had only received a cursory consultation before December.

"It was a slight, light consultation," Koster said.

Gatwick was sold by BAA in 2009.