Fog closes Chengdu's Shuangliu International Airport

On 16 December 2008 dense fog forced officials at Chengdu's Shuangliu International Airport (ZUUU/CTU) to close down the facility for six and a half hours, beginning at approximately 0430 local time (2030 UTC on 15 December). According to an airport spokesman, visibility was down to 26 ft/8 m, compared to a minimum of 1,640 ft/500 m that is necessary for takeoff. Officials expected more than 400 flights to experience delays of at least three hours, stranding approximately 10,000 passengers. Flights were gradually restored beginning at approximately 1300 local time (0500 UTC). Foggy conditions are again expected on 17 December, raising the possibility of renewed flight disruptions at Shuangliu International, which is a major hub for cargo and passenger traffic in southwestern China.