Air New Zealand Suspends All Flights at this Airport

dailyblitz.de 18 hours ago

GISBORNE– Air New Zealand (NZ) suspended all flights in and out of Gisborne Airport (GIS) on Thursday, July 31, after two grounded aircraft required repairs. The airline is the only carrier connecting Gisborne to Auckland (AKL) and Wellington (WLG).

Operations halted on Wednesday, July 30, when the sole arriving flight was grounded due to technical issues. By Thursday afternoon, all services were cancelled as engineers began maintenance work on both aircraft.

Air New Zealand Suspends Flights at Gisborne Airport

Air New Zealand cancelled all flights at Gisborne Airport after engineers identified issues in two de Havilland Q300 aircraft. One aircraft experienced in-flight propeller damage, while the other failed a cockpit control check.

Gisborne Airport has only two gates, and both were occupied by the grounded aircraft. This left no space for other flights to arrive or depart.

Passengers waited at the terminal throughout the day, hoping for updates. Some had connecting international flights, adding to the stress and uncertainty.

The airline maintained a limited schedule for the evening but warned passengers of likely delays. Engineers continued working to return both aircraft to service.

Air New Zealand Receives Prompt Criticism

Many passengers voiced concerns over delayed updates and poor communication. One customer scheduled to fly at 6 AM received a cancellation notice at 3 PM the previous day.

The passenger was rebooked on a flight two days later that clashed with the return from Auckland. Fortunately, the traveller secured a standby ticket for a later flight on Thursday, July 31.

Another passenger, travelling to Singapore via Auckland, learned about the cancellation only after reaching the airport. She wished the airline had provided earlier notice so she could spend more time with family, RNZ mentioned.

Passengers said the frequent delays over the past six months have made air travel unreliable. Some expressed frustration over the lack of alternatives in such isolated regions.

Airline Offers Passengers Alternate Travel Options

Air New Zealand transported aircraft parts overnight and deployed engineers to Gisborne. The team began immediate repairs on both Q300 aircraft to resume operations by evening.

The airline offered affected passengers alternate flights, but limited seat availability restricted options. Some customers accepted road transport to Napier (NPE) to continue their journey.

Chief Operating Officer Alex Marren thanked passengers for their patience. She assured them that the airline was working quickly to restore services.

Air New Zealand also explored additional aircraft parking options at Gisborne Airport. These steps aimed to prevent future groundings caused by limited space.

Latest Disruption Highlights Lacklustre Connectivity

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz described air services as a lifeline for the city. Stoltz highlighted how travel disruptions affect business, family visits, and international connections.

The mayor met with incoming Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar earlier in the week. They discussed the need for consistent service and better communication during disruptions.

Stoltz acknowledged the airline’s support during Cyclone Gabrielle when it arranged flights from Gisborne to Napier. She urged the airline to extend similar support in regular operations.

She reminded the public that Air New Zealand is 51 percent government-owned. The city’s mayor emphasised that the airline has a duty to serve isolated communities reliably.

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