According to Xinhua, multiple flights in and out of Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, were grounded on December 4, after the “worst fog in years hit the city.”
CNN is reporting that many flights were canceled and other incoming flights were forced to land at other air[ports. The airport was closed for almost 10 hours before becoming accessible for “limited operations” at close to noontime, local time, according to the airport authority.
Xinhua is also reporting the “fog is forecast to remain until Monday morning.” The airport says the heavy fog has disrupted the most flights and stranded the most passengers in years.
The images from China Central Television (CCTV) show weary passengers, many asleep on seats in the waiting areas, some eating pot noodles while scenes on the tarmac are filled with crates full of luggage sitting near the grounded planes. It is so hazy that you have to strain your eyes to make out the big airplanes against the curtain of darkness.
The air quality index in Chengdu registered 280, a level considered “very unhealthy” according to the World Air Quality Index. But Chengdu may consider itself lucky. In some industrial cities south of Beijing, the air quality levels reach as high as 875, considered extremely hazardous.