Sudden shock for passengers

Passengers on an Air New Zealand flight to Auckland may have been startled by an unexpected and rapid ascent as the plane was coming in to land yesterday afternoon.

The pilot of NZ542 from Christchurch was warned that another inbound fight had been held up in landing, forcing the 133-seat Boeing 737 to regain altitude and begin another approach.

An airline spokesman said last night that the aircraft came no closer than 10km and there was no danger.