How does the airport keep operating in snow and fog?
Krakow Airport (KRK) relies on standard adverse-weather procedures: aircraft de-icing, ILS precision approaches, and air traffic separation management. The airport data we monitor continuously shows a repeatable pattern: in deteriorating weather the airport usually stays open, and disruptions appear mostly as departure delays, less often as arrival diversions.
1. Arrivals: usually on schedule, diversions possible in dense fog
In most bad-weather episodes arrivals continue as scheduled:
- The ILS system allows safe landings in reduced visibility, so arrival statuses typically remain "Scheduled" — even if individual flights hold while waiting for a slot.
- Diversions are rare but real: when visibility drops below approach minima, some flights land at alternate airports — most often Katowice. We explain this mechanism in detail in the article on fog and flight diversions.
2. Departures: where the delays concentrate
The main effects of adverse weather concern the punctuality of departing flights. In such situations the airport status usually changes to "Open (difficulties)", and the data shows:
| Weather Conditions | Visibility | Operational Phenomenon | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowfall (light to intense) | Reduced (e.g., 1500–3000 m) | De-icing required | Delays in the departure schedule. De-icing is critical for safety and extends each aircraft's turnaround time. |
| Dense fog | Very low (e.g., 200–800 m) | Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) | Delays. Air traffic control requires increased spacing between aircraft, slowing down both departures and arrivals. |
The visibility thresholds at which particular approach types stop being available are covered in the article on required landing visibility in Krakow.
Summary and passenger recommendations
- Departures: if snow or fog is forecast, be prepared for possible delays — they result from safety procedures, not airport failures.
- Arrivals: the vast majority of flights land in Krakow as scheduled; diversions mainly occur during episodes of very dense fog.
- Monitor your flight: before heading to the airport, check the current flight and weather status at Balice and your carrier's notifications.
Related articles
- Krakow Balice flight information — live departures, arrivals and airport status.
- Fog at the airport today — current visibility and impact on flights.
- Best months to fly from Krakow — when the risk of disruptions is lowest.
- Fog and flight diversions — why aircraft are redirected to Katowice.
- Required landing visibility — aircraft limits and ILS system.