Air NZ flight grounded after airport threat

File photo / NZ Herald

A 57-year-old woman has been arrested over an incident regarding an Air New Zealand flight today from Auckland to Napier.

The flight was forced to return to Auckland after an alleged threat was made from Auckland Airport this morning.

The aircraft was in the air and on its way to Napier but returned to Auckland after the airline received a "non-specific verbal threat'' involving the plane a woman was due to travel on, an Air New Zealand spokeswoman said.

The woman was running late and had missed the flight.

A threat was allegedly made but there was no incident on board the plane, the spokeswoman said.

The Air Nelson Q300 aircraft was requested to return to Auckland as a precaution.

The aircraft was then cleared by Aviation Security and returned to Napier, landing two-and-a-half hours behind schedule at 2.15pm, the spokeswoman said.

No other flights were delayed as a result of the threat.

An Auckland Airport spokesman said the airport's runway was closed between 11.05am and 11.35am following the "possible security threat''.

Counties Manukau District Police Communications Manager Kimberley Mathews said a 57-year-old woman was arrested in relation to the incident and charged with communicating false information.

She is due to appear at Manukau District Court on Monday.