New Zealand called in its defense force Monday to help move fuel around the country after a burst oil pipeline triggered a jet fuel shortage, causing dozens of flight cancellations and disrupting the plans of thousands of airline passengers. Air NZ said it had cancelled four flights to Australia and 14 domestic flights after jet fuel supplies were cut by 70%, while the pipeline damage also raised fears of a fuel shortage for motorists in New Zealand’s biggest city. The disruption was expected to last for about a week and airlines said they would look at refueling in other cities domestically, or at Pacific and Australian airports to ensure long-haul services could continue. As well as Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Cathay Pacific and Emirates said on their websites that some flights had been affected. The supply cut followed a leak in a pipeline owned by New Zealand Refining Co Ltd. The pipeline was closed for repairs and expected to return to 70% capacity by Sept. 24-26, a spokesman said. The New Zealand government, which faces an election on Saturday, came under pressure to intervene amid concerns of a shortage of motor fuel.<br/>
star
United Airlines will make its last-ever Boeing 747 passenger flight on Nov. 7. The carrier has added a special “farewell” flight from San Francisco to Honolulu that will serve as its final passenger operation on the beloved jetliner. There will be a “throwback” theme for the flight, with United’s crews donning 1970s-era “retro” uniforms and serving “1970s-inspired” menu options. In-flight entertainment options also will hail from the 1970s. It’s all part of an effort by the airline to recreate the atmosphere passengers would have been experienced on United’s first-ever 747 flight in 1970, which also flew from San Francisco to Honolulu. That retro vibe, United says, “will help send the Queen of the Skies off in true style.” As of Sept. 18, 13 374-seat Boeing 747s were still flying for United. The newly added San Francisco-Honolulu flight will supplant United’s Oct. 29 Seoul-to-San Francisco as the final 747 flight for the airline. That flight from Seoul – United Flight 892 – will be United’s last-ever international flight on the plane. As for the domestic San Francisco-Honolulu that’s been added for Nov. 7, seats went on sale on Monday shortly after 3 p.m. ET. Seats began at $551 for economy and $1,958 for business. They appeared to be selling briskly. <br/>