WELLINGTON– Severe thunderstorms and gale-force winds forced Air New Zealand (NZ) to cancel 28 flights on Friday night (September 5, 2025), leaving many passengers stranded in the capital.
The airline confirmed that customers impacted by the cancellations at Wellington Airport (WLG) were rebooked on the next available flights, with most expected to travel the following day.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAir New Zealand Cancels Wellington Flights
Thunderstorms swept through Wellington, with wind gusts strong enough to close parts of State Highway 2. Conditions made flying hazardous, and Air New Zealand was forced to ground services for safety reasons.
One flight arriving from Queenstown (ZQN) around 5:30 pm highlighted the tense situation. Passengers reported a quiet cabin during the approach before breaking into applause and cheers once the aircraft touched down safely. Outside the terminal, the winds were so strong that travelers struggled to walk with their luggage.
The national forecaster, MetService, had earlier warned of gusts reaching up to 120 km/h in the Wellington area. By Saturday morning, no official warnings remained in place for the capital, but weather disruptions continued in other regions of the country.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalWider Weather Impacts Across New Zealand
Beyond Wellington, heavy rain watches were issued for the eastern Bay of Plenty ranges, with rainfall between 9 am and 3 pm on Saturday.
The Canterbury High Country faced overnight gusts, while snow warnings were in place for mountain passes, including Arthur’s Pass and Lewis Pass.
Further south, road snow warnings were issued for Milford Road (SH94) and the Crown Range Road. From Saturday evening, strong winds were forecast to affect southern Fiordland, Stewart Island, and exposed coastal areas of Southland, Clutha, and Dunedin.
Airline Response and Passenger Support
Air New Zealand (NZ) said it was working to rebook passengers quickly and minimize further disruption.
The airline’s customer care teams were assisting stranded travelers at Wellington Airport (WLG), offering rebooking options and updates on flight availability.
Despite the inconvenience, the carrier emphasized that passenger safety was the priority, with flight cancellations made in response to hazardous conditions rather than operational constraints.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalSimilar Incident
Air New Zealand suspended all flights in and out of Gisborne Airport (GIS) on Thursday, July 31, after two aircraft required urgent repairs. The airline is the only carrier connecting Gisborne to Auckland (AKL) and Wellington (WLG).
Operations had already halted on Wednesday, July 30, when the sole arriving flight was grounded due to technical problems. By the following afternoon, engineers were working on both aircraft, forcing the cancellation of all scheduled services.
Air New Zealand’s cancellations were triggered after two de Havilland Q300 turboprops were taken out of service. One aircraft suffered in-flight propeller damage, while the second failed a routine cockpit control check during inspection.
With Gisborne Airport (GIS) limited to just two gates, both became blocked by the grounded planes, leaving no space for arrivals or departures.
Passengers faced long waits inside the terminal, many of whom were anxious about missing their onward travel. Those with international connections through Auckland (AKL) and Wellington (WLG) bore the heaviest impact.
The airline warned of delays throughout the evening but tried to maintain a reduced schedule where possible as engineers carried out maintenance.
Several passengers voiced frustration over delayed communication. One traveler, originally booked on a 6:00 AM departure, received a cancellation notice at 3:00 PM the previous day, leaving little time to adjust their plans. The rebooked option clashed with their return journey, and only a last-minute standby ticket made travel possible.
Another passenger bound for Singapore via Auckland only learned of the cancellation after reaching Gisborne Airport. She expressed disappointment at the lack of earlier notice, saying it would have allowed her to spend more time with family before leaving.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalBottom Line
While flights resumed through Wellington (WLG) on Saturday, New Zealand’s volatile spring weather means travelers should stay prepared for potential delays or cancellations.
Passengers are advised to monitor airline notifications and MetService forecasts before traveling.
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