A Cathay Pacific Airbus A340-300 had to be diverted to Ohakea Air Force base for seven hours as bad weather prevented the airliner from landing at Auckland.

Photo: BRENDON DEERE

All 266 passengers and 15 crew on board Flight CX197 had to remain inside the aircraft while at Ohakea as there was no customs at the base.

Cathay Pacific spokeswoman Pauline Ray added that the pilots had to take a mandatory break before flying as well. The airline flew replacement pilots and crew, as well as two engineers to Ohakea using a chartered plane.

The flight, which landed at 12.30 p.m., finally took off at 7 p.m.

Source: Alert 5