MANAGING FLIGHTS DURING FOG EVENTS ON THE EXAMPLE OF KRAKÓW-BALICE AIRPORT

Purpose: To quantify the impact of fog on flight diversions at Kraków Airport (EPKK) and to analyze the implications of this operational vulnerability, specifically in relation to the airport’s Category I Instrument Landing System (ILS). Methodology: This study employed a retrospective, quantitative research design to empirically investigate the influence of fog on aircraft diversions at EPKK. The study is a flight operations data (Eurocontrol PRISME) and meteorological records (METAR) analysis using a four-month annual sample allowing for a longitudinal examination of patterns and correlations over an extensive eight-year period (2015-2023). All data acquisition, processing were conducted using custom scripts developed in the Python programming language. Findings: Fog is the primary driver of disruptions, causing 63.6% of all flight diversions in the sample. These events are highly seasonal, peaking in December, and are a direct consequence of visibility frequently dropping below the airport's CAT I operational minima. This forces a heavy reliance on Katowice Airport (EPKT) as the primary alternate destination. Research limitations: The primary limitation is the use of sampled monthly data, which may not capture the full annual impact. Originality: This paper provides novel, quantitative evidence linking specific fog characteristics to operational disruption rates at a major Polish airport. It offers significant value to airport managers, airline strategists, and transport policymakers by grounding critical investment decisions in robust, empirical data.