Neither the Major UK airlines or Heathrow or Gatwick will spend the money on the necessary snow and ice removal equipment. Accountants rule.
And why should they?
It is the airlines, predominantly BA,who have taken the very astute decision to keep as many of their aircraft in the one place where they can re commence flying from the most profitable perspective.
i.e. if they keep the short haul aircraft at any of the London airports they'll be in the perfect position to recommence services from the home base as soon as conditions permit.
Aircraft stuck in Dublin, Madrid or Paris, for example, require extra crews to ferry them out of there and possibly extra crews to get them back to normal.
It's very unfortunate for the passengers, and well done to Ryanair for taking the plunge and risking everything by putting every resource into putting on extra flights into Stansted to ensure the backlog is catered for.
But anyone in any other industry would have taken the same punt - lose a wee bit of profit by not operating but make sure all your resources are in one place to ensure that when the weather is better, you are ready to give everyone the best service possible.