Fog causes chaos at Christchurch airport

Passengers trapped by fog at Christchurch airport again today were finally getting off the ground late this morning.

The travel plans of hundreds of people, including Prime Minister Helen Clark, were thrown into disarray yesterday when thick fog closed Christchurch International Airport until about 2pm.

Some were forced to stay overnight in the city after the fog blanket descended again in the early evening.

An airport spokesman said the fog lifted about 10.15am today and airport and airline staff were working "flat out" to re-schedule flights.

"It's a pretty chaotic scene, and that's putting it mildly...huge delays.

"We've got people who have missed connections, and are having to re-book international flights, the spokesman said.

- NZPA