Air New Zealand cancels 60 flights due to wild winds

Air New Zealand has cancelled 60 flights due to high winds. The national carrier said the flights were across its regional, domestic and international services yesterday and today, and warned disruptions to schedules will continue for at least a couple of days. Significant winds with “damaging gusts” struck parts of Aotearoa overnight, with weather warnings and watches across the country in place. Weather was reported to have improved on Monday morning, with flights resuming in Wellington, but delays were ongoing. An Air New Zealand spokesperson said customers who had their flights cancelled on Sunday due to strong winds were being re-booked on the next available service. "Our team are working hard to manage the evolving weather situation and get customers where they need to be as soon as possible. Due to the scale of the disruption and continued bad weather, this is expected take a couple of days." A Wellington airport spokesperson said 12 flights had been cancelled on Monday morning while others were delayed. "The wind has died right down this morning and flights can operate. However, there are flow-on disruptions with some flights this morning cancelled as they were unable to arrive last night. Airlines are working to help passengers, and people should check directly with their airlines for the status of their flight.” A number of flights from Hawke's Bay Airport had also been cancelled this morning due to high winds. Two flights scheduled to leave from Invercargill Airport for Christchurch this morning were delayed while a third was cancelled.<br/>