The air force base at Ohakea became host to a second Air New Zealand aircraft today following last night's emergency landing, but this time the weather was to blame.
A Boeing 747 travelling from Hong Kong to Auckland with 267 people onboard diverted to Ohakea when fog prevented
it landing in Auckland. It was Flight NZ38 and landed at 9am.
A number of takeoffs and landings were delayed by the Auckland fog after it blanketed most of the city and suburbs early today.
A Korea Air flight from Incheon scheduled to arrive at 9.30am was diverted to Christchurch.
Shortly before midday Auckland International Airport said the Hong Kong flight diverted to Ohakea had landed in Auckland and the Korean Air flight diverted to Christchurch was due to land in Auckland at 1pm.
The fog was starting to lift and flights were returning to normal, the airport operator said.
The airport earlier said the fog was down to 300 metres.
The harbour bridge and city were enveloped in fog until about 8am but police said it caused no problems on the roads.
An Air New Zealand 737 is still at Ohakea after making an emergency landing last night but passengers on the domestic flight flew out at 2.30am this morning after being fed "tea and bikkies" and given access to the gym and officers' mess.
This time the passengers on the 747 diverted by fog are not allowed off the aircraft because there are no customs facilities at Ohakea.
Air New Zealand spokesman David Jamieson said staff from Palmerston North headed to Ohakea with food and the entertainment system of the aircraft was powered up.
"In situations like this we are always very grateful for the assistance the RNZAF provide us. They do a superb job," Mr Jamieson said.
Last July 1400 international travellers were stranded in aircraft at Ohakea when Auckland was blanketed by fog, leaving some grumpy passengers in their seats for an extra eight hours.
International flights that cannot get into Auckland generally try to divert to Christchurch but they go to Ohakea if they do not have enough fuel.
- NZPA
