Nine hour trip - to lounge

Passengers on a flight to Sydney yesterday were left frustrated when the plane was turned away due to safety concerns over the city's dust cloud.

The Air New Zealand 7am flight from Auckland had almost reached the destination when it was sent back to Auckland airport.

On board was North Shore property broker Andrew Hiskens, who was travelling with two colleagues to attend a three-day business conference.

The group had arrived to check in at Auckland airport at 5am, boarded as usual but found themselves back where they started and waiting for luggage at 2pm. The flight was among three Air New Zealand planes turned back because of the storms yesterday.

"We were probably three-quarters of the way there and into the second movie when they turned around," he said.

"We've been sitting in the lounge waiting to check in on a later flight but it doesn't seem like it's going to happen."

They then waited for their luggage to be retrieved from the second flight to Sydney which the group decided not to take yesterday.

Despite their long day and disappointment at postponing their conference, the men remained in good spirits.

"We're not grumpy with them or anything, they don't do the weather," said Peter Peeters, a colleague of Mr Hiskens. "Air New Zealand gave us great service, actually."

Other passengers reported waits of up to 12 hours as they waited to hear when alternative flights would be scheduled.