KEY POINTS:
Air New Zealand link carrier Eagle Air hopes to have all its Beech 1900D aircraft back in the air tomorrow after 17 were grounded when a safety issue with the undercarriage was identified.
But 540 passengers have had to make alternate travel plans as the company cancelled 36 flights today.
After an inspection of the fleet, nine of the 17 planes were back operating yesterday with another two airborne today, airline spokeswoman Tracey Palmer said.
The final six aircraft were awaiting replacement parts for an undercarriage component, which were due to arrive tomorrow from the United States.
These aircraft were expected to return to service within 48 hours, Ms Palmer said.
Customers who were affected by the cancellations were either rebooked on alternative services or transported by road.
In June, an Eagle Air Beechcraft 1900D made a belly landing at Blenheim airport when its landing gear failed to come down.
That landing was being investigated by both the Transport Accident Investigation Commission and Eagle Air.
Air New Zealand said the inspection was routine, and had nothing to do with the ongoing investigation into the June incident.
- NZPA
