Fog delays drag on for travellers

Widespread disruption continued for thousands of passengers even after flights resumed at Wellington International Airport yesterday morning, and there is a risk of more disabling fog today.

The MetService warned late yesterday of a possibility of low cloud or fog over Wellington this morning and evening, a risk which senior forecaster Steve Ready qualified as low to moderate.

Fog generated by hot subtropical air over cooler water remained out to sea, ready for any southerly breeze to blow it back ashore.

Flights in and out of the capital were disrupted for 1 1/2 days before the fog lifted just before 9.30am yesterday, yielding to a beautiful day and allowing the first Air New Zealand Boeing 737 to land minutes later.

But it took many more hours to reposition aircraft and clear passenger backlogs from airports throughout the country, including queues more than 100m long at the Auckland domestic terminal, where a lack of air-conditioning made the ordeal all the more excruciating.

This was despite Air NZ's addition of a 230-seat Boeing 767 and a 136-seat Airbus A320 to the Auckland-Wellington route.

About 50 of the airline's flights to or from Wellington were cancelled or delayed, on top of 200 on Wednesday.

Qantas also spent most of yesterday clearing backlogs in this country and in Australia, having cancelled six international flights and 18 domestic services into or out of Wellington on Wednesday.

Rental car firms at Auckland Airport remained short of vehicles yesterday morning, having hired out dozens on Wednesday to travellers preferring to drive to Wellington rather than wait for clear weather.

Some frustrated passengers shared cars with strangers to return to the capital from business meetings or to take their seats at the annual International Sevens Rugby tournament, due to kick off at 1pm today at Westpac Stadium. Coach operator Newmans, which also runs the InterCity line, put on two extra services yesterday from Auckland to Wellington and was trying to find enough drivers for a repeat performance today.

The Kenyan sevens team finally arrived in Wellington yesterday, having been diverted to Auckland and then Christchurch during a 100-hour flight from their homeland.

Air NZ had no comment on an advertising hoarding above Auckland check-in queues promoting travel to the tournament: "The Sevens. Getting there is half the fun."

Spokesman Mike Tod preferred to note that the airline brought in extra staff at Auckland and Wellington airports, and handed out biscuits, water and sweets to waiting passengers.

Some passengers criticised the airline's failure to open check-in counters at Wellington until the fog lifted, leaving them trying to call a seriously overloaded 0800 phone number to rebook tickets.

Mr Tod said Air NZ preferred not to separate passengers from their luggage by checking them in before knowing when flights could leave, as this made it harder for them to change travel plans if desired.

But other passengers approached by the Herald at Auckland Airport seemed stoical about the delays, including one man who arrived for a 7.30am flight to a family wedding today in Wellington but faced a nine-hour delay.

"It's been bedlam but you've got to expect this sort of thing from time to time," he said.

Balclutha farming couple Neil and Jackie Kelly left home with their daughter Cheryl at 5am yesterday for a 6.10am flight from Dunedin to Hawkes Bay via Wellington, but ended up in Auckland instead - "not one of our top 10 destinations", said Mrs Kelly.

Why the disruption for passengers?

What caused the delays?: Low cloud and mist began disrupting flights at Wellington International at 7pm on Tuesday and, by Wednesday night, all flights in and out were cancelled as it thickened to fog.

What chances a repeat?: The fog, which could return this morning, is caused by hot subtropical air flowing down New Zealand's east coast from the north before being blown ashore by southerly breezes.