Southerly crosswinds at Wanganui Airport yesterday grounded two Air New Zealand planes and caused 32 people to change their travel plans.
Air New Zealand airport manager Craig McClelland said 90 per cent of passengers whose flights were cancelled travelled to Palmerston North, and the remainder rebooked for flights out today.
The 11am and 7.30pm flights from Auckland were cancelled because the planes were still on the apron at Wanganui.
Mr McClelland said the crosswinds were 10-15 knots above the limit yesterday morning, and by mid-afternoon the winds had eased to just on the limit.
Rain on the runway added to the hazardous conditions and did not allow traction on landing, Mr McClelland said.
