Why are there delays when it’s foggy?

During thick fog, controllers at airports must work to ‘low visibility procedures’ which enable airport operations to continue safely. They cover approach, ground movement and departures.

Spacing on approach to airports is increased which ensures that the preceding aircraft has landed and cleared the runway before the following aircraft is given landing clearance and that aircraft are more widely spaced when manoeuvring or taxiing at the airport, whether they are arriving or departing.