KUNMING - Heavy fog continued to shroud an airport in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province, delaying flights and stranding thousands of travelers on Friday.

Operators of Kunming Changshui International Airport said the airport still had to handle the departure of 283 flights that had been grounded there due to misty weather as of 11:30 p.m..

The airport reported nearly 10,000 passengers at the airport at midnight Friday, and operators said they were making all-out efforts to maintain order and arrange accommodation for the stranded passengers.

Massive flight delays began to hit the airport on Thursday after thick fog dropped the visibility to 300 to 800 meters.

All delayed flights are expected to take off before 6 a.m. Saturday, they said.