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Service returns to normal at Kelowna's airport after fog delays

Airport back to normal

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.

Operations have returned to normal at Kelowna International Airport.

The airport's arrivals and departure board are now showing just a handful of minor delays after a backlog of flights have been cleared.


UPDATE: 10 a.m.

The thick fog hanging over the Valley Friday morning has caused widespread delays at Kelowna International Airport.

No planes are currently landing at YLW, due to low visibility, although some planes have been able depart.

As of 10 a.m., the majority of departures and arrivals at YLW this morning are delayed.

“We're seeing a quarter of a mile of visibility, and that's enough visibility for aircraft to depart, but it's below the minimum requirements for aircraft to land,” said Phillip Elchitz, senior manager of airport operations. “We're seeing a number of delays for the inbound aircraft; the entire arrivals board is yellow right now, which is showing delayed.

“We are also starting to see some cancellations, so the longer this persists, airlines will move from delaying their flights to cancelling their flights. But we're confident that this is going to lift in the next hour and that aircraft will start moving again.”

Visibility at the airport was reduced to zero at about 7 a.m., and all planes were grounded for a couple hours, but conditions have cleared slightly in the past 30 minutes.

Elchitz says he expects the fog to clear by about 11:30 a.m.

"Once the visibility gets above half a mile, then aircraft will start to land," Elchitz said.

"The landing limits are different depending on the technology onboard the aircraft, so some aircraft can land at half a mile visibility or better, some aircraft need a mile or better. So we'll see a slow increase in the number of aircraft landing as visibility increases."

Environment Canada issued a fog advisory for the North and Central Okanagan earlier Friday morning.


ORIGINAL: 7:45 a.m.

It might be a little hard to see on your morning commute.

Environment Canada has issued a fog advisory for the North and Central Okanagan, including Vernon and Kelowna.

The forecast is calling for near zero visibility due to the fog in some areas Friday morning.

The fog is expected to persist throughout the morning in Southern interior valleys and highways.

Environment Canada says, "conditions are favourable for dense fog to develop. The fog will linger into late morning or near noon, then dissipate."

Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.



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