Flights delayed, cancelled at Auckland Airport due to fog, car fire causing major traffic delays

Another foggy morning in Auckland is causing major disruption to domestic flights in and out of Auckland Airport. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Travel woes continue for those hoping to depart and arrive at Auckland Airport as a car fire causes major traffic delays and fog hampers early-morning flights.

Fog restrictions were lifted at 7.31am after being in place for three hours, with about 11 regional flights cancelled and 15 delayed. A flight from Wellington to Auckland was also cancelled due to the fog.

International flights have not been affected.

Meanwhile NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said a car fire was blocking two left southbound lanes towards the airport before the Landing Drive intersection.

Both lanes were reopened at 8.20am after being closed for nearly three hours.

According to Google Maps, traffic is backed for 4.5km approaching the airport, with the tail of traffic back to the Southwestern Motorway.

“Delay your journey or use SH20B (Puhinui Rd) to get to the airport until further notice,” the agency wrote.

SH20A (GEORGE BOLT MEM DR) TO AIRPORT - 6:00AM
A car fire is blocking two left lanes southbound (towards @AKL_Airport) just prior to Landing Dr intersection. Delay your journey or use SH20B (Puninui Rd) to get to the Airport until further notice. ^TP pic.twitter.com/dEHubfloR1

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) June 24, 2024

A police spokesperson said the fire was reported at 5.53am.

It’s the second day in a row that flights in and out of Auckland Airport have been cancelled and delayed due to fog.

More than 100 flights were cancelled or delayed on Monday as thick fog hampered airport operations.

Fog restrictions were lifted after midnight, but just before 5 this morning the airport said restrictions had been put back in place.

It said passengers should check the Auckland Airport website or app for the latest flight arrival and departure information.

Auckland Transport said ferries, too, were affected by the fog. Downtown and Beach Haven/Hobsonville Point are delayed up to 15 minutes.

On Monday morning heavy fog delayed or cancelled 89 domestic flights in and out of the city, while a further 14 flights were cancelled last night. There were also widespread ferry cancellations and delays.

MetService forecaster Lewis Ferris said on Monday morning there was a mixing pot of bad ingredients that was causing the fog to hang around.

He said MetService expected visibility would increase during the morning as the sun began to heat up the ground ― a prediction that came to pass with fog restrictions lifted shortly after noon on Monday.

Ferris said the sun’s low angle due to the winter solstice, high clouds blocking the sun, and the lack of wind made for the perfect foggy conditions.