Grateful to touch down after a scare in the air

Herald journalist TERRY MADDAFORD tells what it was like on Air New Zealand flight NZ45 when it was forced to return to Nadi after learning of a bomb threat.

An hour into our three-hour flight from Nadi to Auckland - for many, the final leg of a roundabout 12-hour return journey from Papeete via Rarotonga and Nadi - the lunch trays were being handed out.

But why, some of us questioned, was the starboard wing dipping towards the Pacific Ocean rather than remaining in the position demanded on such a direct flight?

Suddenly crew raced the untouched food trolleys back to the rear galley.

Captain Paul Spence made the first of a number of nerve-jangling announcements.

"There has been," Spence said, "a security alert and the decision has been made to return to Nadi."

It was quickly followed by a second announcement: "We can now confirm we are dealing with a bomb threat."

As if to give some solace to the more frazzled on board, he said the scare was regarded as "low risk."

Well aware of the troubled times in Fiji, and with some passengers recognising Maori activist Tame Iti as being among the last to board, there remained some trepidation as the flight began the haul back to Fiji.

The inflight movie was shut down, and replaced by flight information showing the aircraft quickly descending from its cruising altitude of 11,000m to just 3000m.

The pilot "put his foot down," increasing speed from 750 km/h to 800. Conversation, while somewhat muted, continued.

There was no food, as the trolleys are apparently regarded as among the higher security risks in such incidents, and no one cared for a drink. The crew remained assured in dealing with any passengers showing distress.

Despite this, there was an air of calm, almost anticipation, as the crew readied the aircraft for a hasty landing.

Two hours after flying out of Nadi we were back on the tarmac and steps were being rushed to the plane.



The terminal was soon a hive of activity as ground staff did all they could to ensure some comfort for passengers facing an indeterminate wait.

Towed alongside the terminal, the aircraft was searched and bags were removed.

Passengers were called in groups of 20 to take their baggage from one carousal, identify it with the correct tag, and replace it on another conveyor to be returned to the aircraft.

Throughout it was apparent there were fears over Iti and his supporters, who were refused entry and detained at the airport on their arrival the previous night.

The captain decided Iti and his group would not be allowed on the flight.

So, after five hours on the ground - but with passengers grateful the incident had developed into nothing more serious - flight NZ45 again headed to Auckland.

For those of us who had taken little more than a passing interest in the customary "safety procedures check" as the initial flight had prepared for take-off, there was a more captive response the second time round as NZ45 headed home for a midnight, rather than 5pm, rendezvous.