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An Air New Zealand flight traveling from Wellington to Sydney made an unscheduled landing in Auckland on Sunday afternoon. The aircraft, flight NZ249, experienced a significant engine problem approximately one hour after takeoff. According to Air New Zealand, the decision to divert to Auckland was made as a precautionary measure, adhering to standard safety protocols.
The plane, which departed Wellington shortly before 3 pm, experienced a sudden change in course, as tracked by FlightRadar24.com. Upon arrival in Auckland just after 5:20 pm, all passengers and crew disembarked safely. Air New Zealand’s Head of Flight Operations, Hugh Pearce, confirmed the engine was shut down and the diversion was carried out according to established procedures. A full investigation into the cause of the engine issue is underway. Passengers affected by the diversion have been rebooked onto the next available flights. The airline expressed its gratitude to passengers for their cooperation and understanding during the unexpected event.
This incident highlights the importance of robust safety procedures within the aviation industry, ensuring passenger safety remains the utmost priority.