Reading and Comprehension. When an airport is closed by bad weather, usually fog or snow and ice, all the aircraft that are on their way to that airport have to divert to other airports

When an airport is closed by bad weather, usually fog or snow and ice, all the aircraft that are on their way to that airport have to divert to other airports which are listed on the flight plan as alternates. When making the flight plan before take-off, the captain has to nominate his first alternate and also a second one in case the first alternate has to close as well.

The aircraft carries a reserve of fuel sufficient to take it to the first alternate and to cruise around for a specified time if the airport is closed. The reserve also includes fuel for diversion to the second alternate and for further "waiting" in the air /stacking/ if necessary.

When an airport closes, no aircraft are allowed to take off from other airports with the intention of landing at the closed airport until weather reports indicate the time of re-opening. Consequently a number of other airports may have aircraft and passengers delayed, waiting for the weather to improve at their destination.

Fog commonly forms in the morning, lilting well before noon. When this occurs, the delayed aircraft will all want to land as soon as possible after clearance, and the result is often considerable congestion both in the air and at the terminal on the ground.

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