Can poor visibility still close airports?

[sandyRoe]

Would a proposed airport near the Thames Estuary sometimes be at risk of closure from fog?

[boxtops]

I don't see why not - but when Heathrow and Gatwick are closed, planes still get diverted down to North Kent to us near Manston, and we're not that far in miles from Boris Island.

[grasscarp]

Heathrow can be foggy when half a mile away is clear.

[Buenchico]

A total closure might be unlikely but everything would still get slowed up, resulting in diversions to other airports through lack of capacity at the Thames airport:
http://www.theanswerb...8.html#answer-6458093

[Zacs-Master]

It would I believe (or is it think?) only close if the fog were too busy for the aircraft to taxi. Where's Clanad when you need a pilots help?

[grasscarp]

Some aircraft have autoland but if you can't see well enough to taxi then you are in trouble. There are landing and take off minima based on height of cloud base and runway visual range. Once below these limits then can't do much except wait on ground or divert if in the air.

[sandyRoe]

So, this could become known as Boris' white elephant?

[grasscarp]

I don't know why not use southend or manston. London already has 5 airports.

[boxtops]

Grasscarp - my argument precisely. The runway at Manston is huge, and underused.

[grasscarp]

I know. I have flown in there a few times.

[boxtops]

Me too, in and out!

[Buenchico]

The owners of 'London Southend Airport' (as it's now called) might argue that London has 6 airports, Grasscarp ;-)
http://www.southendairport.com/

[boxtops]

Does that include London Ashford airport? i.e. Lydd, down on the Romney Marsh?

[grasscarp]

Another aviator :o)

[boxtops]

er - I didn't fly myself in, perhaps we are at crossed purposes!

[Buenchico]

Good point, Boxtops.

That's 7 and counting!
http://www.lydd-airport.co.uk/

[boxtops]

so where are they?

Heathrow
Gatwick
Southend
Lydd
City
?
?

[grasscarp]

I flew myself in and out. I also used to fly a lot in and out of southend.

[boxtops]

I'm impressed, grasscarp :-)

[grasscarp]

Luton and stansted

[boxtops]

Of course - thank you - "up north"!!