Holiday foiled by fault

Tess and Sean McCormick. Photo / Doug Sherring

Tess and Sean McCormick heading to Niue for their first holiday in six years had their hopes dashed yesterday by a frustrating flight diversion.

An Auckland Airport spokeswoman said there was a possible issue with brakes overheating on Air New Zealand flight 784, which left the airport at 9.45am. The plane circled for several hours to use up fuel before landing.

She said the aircraft was inspected by engineers while the 136 passengers were rebooked for other flights.

The McCormicks, from Gisborne and in their early 50s, were up at 4.15am yesterday, bound for a snorkelling and deep-sea fishing holiday. "It seemed like a normal take-off but 15 minutes into the flight, the captain said, 'I've got bad news ... the brakes are overheating'," said Tess.

They were told the plane was too fuel laden to land which meant they had to remain in the air for two hours.

Online aircraft tracking website, flightradar24, showed the flight circled at least seven times off Coromandel before returning to Auckland.

"We paid for the deluxe service but everyone on the plane got it in the end. I think everyone needed a drink," McCormick, who was a Flight Centre travel agent for 14 years, joked. "When we landed it was a terrible grinding sound."

She said the mood on the plane was "sombre".

"All the passengers seemed dazed and shocked. I think the quietness was panic.

"The crew seemed very relaxed," she said.