Wellington Airport blanketed in fog for fifth day

Wellington Airport is this morning again blanketed by thick fog for the fifth day in a row making the streak the worst in airport staff's memory.

Fog first prevented flights arriving and departing on Tuesday night and since then the airport has been able to open only intermittently during breaks in the fog.

Airport duty manager Stephen Rybinski this morning told NZPA all four international flights scheduled this morning had been able to leave but all other flights in and out had been cancelled after the fog thickened at about 3am.

Air New Zealand and Qantas had suspended check-in, Mr Rybinski said. "There's quite a blanket around the area and it will probably stay until lunchtime."

He said the five-day stretch of fog was the worst in his 14 years at the airport and was likely to be a record given the capital's notorious wind.

"Passengers are getting a little upset but obviously there's nothing we can do until that fog clears."

Mr Rybinski said the terminal was quite quiet as most people had chosen to stay home this morning until hearing flights were up and running again.

He said no flights had been diverted today -- they had all been cancelled.

"It's pretty bad here -- just as bad as yesterday. I don't think there's a lot of wind out there so it's going to take quite a while to come across."

- NZPA