Air New Zealand Flight Grounded Due to Phone Threat: Police Investigation
Passengers on an Air New Zealand flight to Dunedin had to disembark the aircraft and have their luggage searched yesterday after a threat was made by phone, police say. The airline’s chief operational integrity and safety officer, David Morgan, mentioned that flight NZ677 was set to depart Auckland Airport for Dunedin at 5.40pm, but the Airbus A320 returned to the gate due to “security reasons.” This morning, a police spokesperson confirmed that a threat specific to that flight was made by phone. The police’s Specialist Search Group checked the plane and all luggage on board, finding nothing of concern.
Passengers remained on board for a time before disembarking while standard procedures were followed. After disembarking, passengers were placed in a secure location within the airport as a precautionary measure, leaving their luggage on the plane. Air New Zealand staff provided snacks, hot food, fruit, water, booked accommodation for the night, and rebooked flights for the passengers. The police managed the incident while Air New Zealand’s team supported the passengers.
Passenger Experience
A Dunedin man waiting to pick up a passenger reported that some individuals on the plane were distressed, fearing a potential bomb threat. The passengers were directed to a room in the terminal where they had to wait for hours with little to no food. Some described the situation as a “mess,” with people standing or lying on the floor. Eventually, finger foods like wraps and sandwiches were provided, but the experience was deemed inadequate by some passengers.
Positive Perspective
Despite the challenges, passenger Helen Cannan shared a largely positive experience. She mentioned that Air New Zealand staff worked hard to provide water, food, and comfort to passengers, even allowing some parents to bring McDonald’s for their children. While babies and children cried, the overall response from passengers and staff was commendable in a difficult and unexpected situation.
Inquiries into the incident are ongoing, according to a police spokesperson. As the situation unfolds, passengers and authorities alike are working together to ensure safety and support for all involved in this unexpected turn of events.