Airport closed after illness hits traffic controllers

Four international flights to Wellington had to be diverted after a shortage of air traffic controllers tonight closed the airport.

The airport was closed at 10pm today and was not expected to reopen until 6am tomorrow.

The Dominion Post understands illness meant not enough air traffic controllers were available to keep it open.

Air New Zealand flights from Sydney and Melbourne and two Qantas flights from the same cities were affected, along with about three flights from Auckland and Christchurch.

An Air New Zealand spokesman said 79 people were on the flight from Melbourne and 105 on the flight from Sydney. They were diverted to Auckland and were to spend the night there before flying into Wellington early tomorrow.

At least one of the flights from Christchurch was diverted to Palmerston North.

Airways New Zealand was not available for comment.

- NZPA