Fog blankets Auckland: Car crashes and flight disruptions this morning

Auckland Airport is urging passengers to check their flight details as heavy fog affects the terminal this morning.

Thick fog is blanketing many parts of the city early today, making for difficult driving conditions also.

Road authorities are advising drivers to keep their lights on this morning, as heavy fog remains in patches across the Auckland motorway network.

“With reduced visibility, please remember to keep your lights on, allow extra time and mind your following distance.”

A crash was earlier blocking two southbound lanes on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, between Tecoma St and the Ellerslie Panmure Highway.

Another crash on State Highway 1, just south of Warkworth, about 6.40am is now blocking both directions.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said at 7.15am that there are currently “long delays” in the area and motorists are advised to delay their journey or consider using SH16 as an alternative route.

An update just before 8am advised that a stop-go traffic management system is now in place on SH1 between Valerie Close and Satellite Station Rd.

Auckland Airport issued a message on its social media channels at 6am, saying: “Auckland Airport is currently experiencing fog.

“Passengers should check with your airline, the (airport’s) website or the Auckland Airport app for the latest flight arrival and departure information.”

7.40am update

The latest update from airport staff is that approximately 23 domestic regional flights have been cancelled and 19 domestic regional flights delayed due to the fog.

“Domestic flights to Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown have not been affected by the fog. International flights have not been affected by the fog.”

The airport’s website appears to be clogging up also, with a “sorry, we seem to be having some technical difficulties” sign popping up at times.

7.10am update

Auckland Airport’s latest update said approximately 11 domestic regional flights have been cancelled and 13 domestic regional flights have been delayed, due to the fog.

Domestic flights to Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown have not been affected by the fog.

An Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Palmerston North, scheduled for 6.30am, was cancelled; while another flight to Palmerston North has been delayed until 7.15am.

Two flights scheduled to leave for Nelson at 6.50am were both cancelled, while a flight to Tauranga has been delayed until 7.30am.

International flights have not been affected.

– More to come