Fog complicates flight plans at airports

Airline flights resumed Monday after thick fog delayed planes across Western Montana for the second day in a row.

An official at Glacier Park International Airport said flights have been delayed or canceled for several days due to fog in Kalispell as well as several destinations.  

More fog was forecast by the National Weather Service, which issued a dense-fog advisory for Western Montana until 11 a.m. today.

In Missoula, airport director Cris Jensen said flights to Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Denver were canceled Monday. Planes began arriving and departing about 11 a.m. Monday after the fog lifted.

Jensen says the airport handles 15 to 18 flights a day, with an average of 1,000 passengers.

Airport officials said some incoming and outgoing flights were diverted to other airports such as Glacier or canceled entirely after low visibility made it unsafe to allow takeoffs and landings on Sunday.

The decision to delay or cancel a flight is made by each airline individually. 

Glacier Park International Airport recommends checking the status of flights before going to the airport. 

Passengers can find more information online at www.iflyglacier.com/flight-status.php, or by calling 257-5994.