Weather delays: why landing in fog takes longer
Fog, wind and storms don't stop flights, but they slow them down. Why weather cuts how many aircraft can land each hour, and what it means for your claim.
The short answer
In fog, aircraft need more space between them on approach and on the runway, so fewer can land each hour. Strong headwinds slow aircraft down on the final approach, which has the same effect. When fewer can land, flights are held on the ground or in the air. Genuine bad weather usually counts as extraordinary, so compensation is unlikely, but meals and drinks are still owed.
The sun’s out at your departure airport. Your flight is still delayed “due to weather”. The weather that matters is at the other end.
Why fog slows everything down
In thick fog, aircraft land using precise radio guidance from the ground, called the instrument landing system. To keep that signal clean, the area around the runway has to be clear of other aircraft and vehicles. Airports switch to low visibility procedures:
- Bigger gaps between landing aircraft.
- Aircraft must be fully clear of protected areas before the next one gets close.
- Slower taxiing, because drivers and pilots can’t see far.
The result: fewer landings per hour. The airport doesn’t close; it just runs slower.
Why wind slows things down
A strong headwind on the final approach slows an aircraft’s speed over the ground. If aircraft are spaced by distance, the time between landings gets longer, so fewer land each hour. Some airports space arrivals by time instead of distance in strong winds to reduce this effect.
Storms
Thunderstorms block routes. Aircraft fly around them, which squeezes more traffic into less space. Lightning near the airport can also stop ground handling, so baggage and refuelling pause.
What happens to your flight
When the arrival rate at your destination drops, flights get slots: they wait at the departure gate instead of holding in the air.
Can I claim?
Genuine bad weather usually counts as an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation is unlikely, as long as the weather really affected your flight. Ask the airline which weather, and where. Meals and drinks while you wait are still owed. Check your case.