Air traffic disrupted

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32966, 12 July 1972, Page 1

Air traffic disrupted

Disruption to air traffic because of fog and low cloud at Christchurch and Wellington airports yesterday morning was largely overcome by the rescheduling of flights when conditions improved late yesterday afternoon. Christchurch was closed for much of yesterday morning, and Wellington was closed for most of the day. Christchurch was closed to landings from 9.45 a.m. until 11 a.m., when it became marginal. The last morning flight to land, from Dunedin, touched down at 9.55 am. The next to arrive was at 1.8 p.m. A DC3 service from

Oamaru and Timaru to Christchurch, which should have arrived at 8.50 a.m., did not land until 1.8 p.m. mainly because of bad weather closing Christchurch and Timaru airports. In the interim a Boeing 737 from Auckland to Christchurch was unable to land in Christchurch. It was diverted to Wellington. Unable to land there it returned to Auckland. Another 737 on an Auckland - Wellington - Christchurch - Dunedin flight flew straight to Dunedin. Passengers for Christchurch were brought back by coach. A Boeing 737 Wellingtqn-Christchurch-Wellington midmorning service and a Christchurch - Wellington - Christchurch afternoon 737 service were cancelled.

A Viscount on a Wellington - Christchurch - Dunedin flight went straight to Dunedin. The Friendship flight from Christchurch to Hokitika was cancelled but a service was provided from Hokitika to Christchurch with a Friendship ferried there from Nelson.

At 2 p.m. Christchurch Airport was open but marginal, and rescheduled flights began leaving. Wellington opened later in the afternoon and most of the passenger backlog was cleared. One result of the disruptions was that the Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) was unable to address the Christchurch Rotary Club’s luncheon, and several members of Parliament had to wait several hours for Rongotai to open.