Air NZ flight from Wellington lands safely in Sydney after bomb threat

Report from RNZ
An Air New Zealand flight from Wellington landed safely at Sydney Airport following reports of a bomb threat on board.

Passengers were not permitted to disembark from the plane for an hour and a half.

9 News said flight NZ247 arrived from Wellington about 5.40pm local time (7.40pm NZT), with a tactical operations unit, paramedics and firefighters all called to the runway.

The plane had 154 staff and passengers on board.

A passenger on the plane told RNZ they had been told there was a bomb scare. “Lots of police and emergency vehicles on standby.”

Journalist Brian Wilson said the plane stopped on a utility taxiway, away from the airport terminals, and remained there for more than an hour. It then taxied to the international terminal, where it was met by Federal Police.

Passengers were allowed to disembark by 10pm and emergency services were being stood down.

Air New Zealand was aware of “a security incident” on board the flight, the airline’s chief operational integrity and safety officer Captain David Morgan said in a statement.

“Standard security protocols were followed. Emergency services assessed the aircraft after it landed and passengers were able to disembark. Due to this incident NZ248, the return flight to Wellington was cancelled.

“Air New Zealand apologises for the inconvenience caused to customers on both services. The safety and security of all passengers and our crew is our utmost priority.”

Up to 40 emergency services vehicles were at the airport when the plane landed, including bomb squad cars and armed police, 7News said.

It appeared planes at the airport briefly entered a holding pattern while the aircraft landed.