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The last plane-load of Pacific Star cruise passengers returning home to Auckland had their chartered flight delayed by a bomb threat.
Fraser Gillies was one of 1200 passengers who sailed through gale force winds and 10 metre swells on the P&O cruise.
The company abandoned the cruise and has flown passengers back to Auckland.
But before take-off on Wednesday night, a passenger found a bomb threat scrawled on a sick-bag in the pocket in front of their seat.
Mr Gillies said the message was abusive and threatening and the plane was delayed while checks were carried out.
He said the plane was emptied and the threat was taken very seriously by the airline.
Air New Zealand spokeswoman Tracey Palmer would not confirm Mr Gillies' version of events but issued a statement.
Ms Palmer said: "An Air New Zealand customer chartered an A320 to operate to and from Port Vila on Wednesday.
"Due to a security related issue the aircraft was given an additional security check and the flight left just over 1.5 hours later than expected. Air New Zealand has no further comment to make."
Port Vila's Bauerfield Airport security manager Zevo Kalotiti confirmed the bomb threat was discovered.
He said while it may have been intended to be a joke, the airport security was taking the matter seriously and a report was being prepared.
Grant Williams was also on the flight with his family. He also understood that the note found on board was abusive and "suggested a threat".
"It's in the hands of the police and being treated very seriously by Air Security in Vanuatu," Mr Williams said, but did not want to comment further.
Commenting on the original journey on the ship from Auckland Mr Gillies said he thought the captain and crew of the Pacific Star were impeccable given the conditions.
He said some of the comments in the media from other passengers had been unfair.
"The captain and crew did a sterling job," he said.
