Fog disrupts travel and could be back

The inner Auckland Harbour is bathed in fog that also closed Auckland Airport yesterday. Picture / Paul Estcourt

Fog disrupted dozens of flights at Auckland Airport yesterday and may do the same again this morning.

Air New Zealand reported disruption to about 5000 of its passengers. Three incoming international flights were diverted to Wellington, a departure to Sydney and more than 50 domestic services were cancelled.

The airline managed to land two flights from the United States before the worst of the fog enveloped the airport at about 5.30am, but two other operators either diverted to Fiji or were delayed there until it began clearing, towards noon.

The airport company said it was the fifth time this winter fog had disrupted flights, but was confident a $5 million navigation upgrade by the Airways Corporation would prevent any recurrence from next July.

That is when the first stage of the upgrade is due to be completed, to be followed by advances in 2008.

But the MetService warns that travellers may be in for more frustration this morning, from fog due to return overnight. The duty forecaster, Ian Miller, said a northeasterly breeze should blow it away sooner than it dissipated yesterday.

Airlines expect to have to pay for most of the navigation upgrade via higher charges from both the Airways Corporation and the airport company, which has installed new lighting pods on the main and auxiliary runways.

Brighter lights and a stronger radio guidance beam will eventually allow aircraft to land with just 50m horizontal visibility, compared with 800m now, and without a stipulated minimum height at which pilots must be able to see the ground.

Heavy fog on Waitemata Harbour yesterday also tested a navigation system introduced less than a month ago by Ports of Auckland, which marine manager Wayne Mills said allowed shore staff to monitor ships to within 5m of their charted courses.

Yesterday was the eighth time this year that fog has prompted the company to impose special safety measures on shipping movements, slowing down in co-operation with ground staff from ferry operator Fullers Auckland.

Mr Mills said the new system was no cause to speed up movements, but added another level of safety to operations in a busy port.

The 6.20am ferry from Pine Harbour to Auckland was stranded in mud for about 45 minutes soon after departure, with seven or eight passengers aboard.

Pine Harbour officials refused to discuss the mishap but the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, which subsidises the operation, blamed a technical fault rather than fog.

The vessel, a jet-powered catamaran capable of carrying 49 passengers, is understood to have freed itself without needing a tow.