New Zealand military called in after pipeline leak hits air travel

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/>