Passengers on an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Dunedin faced an unexpected disruption due to a security threat made by phone. The flight, scheduled to depart at 5:40 pm, had to return to the gate. A police spokesperson confirmed that the threat was specific to this flight.
The aircraft was held at Auckland Airport, and all passengers were evacuated and taken to a secure area. Police’s Specialist Search Group conducted thorough checks of the plane and luggage, finding nothing suspicious. The passengers initially remained on the plane before disembarking to a designated room within the terminal.
David Morgan, Air New Zealand’s chief operational integrity and safety officer, acknowledged the potentially distressing and uncomfortable nature of the situation for passengers, emphasizing the airline’s priority on everyone’s safety. Efforts were made to support passengers, including providing snacks, booking accommodation, and rebooking flights. The airline continued to follow up with passengers to ensure their well-being.
Reports suggested that the 170 passengers involved were informed of the seriousness of the situation and were advised not to discuss it. An observer mentioned some passengers were distressed, and there were rumors of a possible bomb threat. Passengers disembarked in an orderly fashion, overseen by police and security staff, and were eventually directed to a terminal room.
Although initially left without food in the room, additional provisions such as wraps and sandwiches were later supplied. Some parents managed to purchase McDonald’s for their children. Passenger Helen Cannan described the experience as largely positive, noting the efforts of Air New Zealand staff to alleviate the situation.
Police investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
