Shocking Auckland floods forces 200 Qantas passengers to spend the night stuck on board QF148
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Shocking Auckland floods force 200 Qantas passengers to stay overnight trapped on board the plane after water inundated the airport
- About 200 passengers forced to stay on board overnight
- Qantas QF148 flight was canceled after passengers boarded
Some 200 passengers due to fly to Sydney were forced to stay on board the plane overnight as floodwaters engulfed the runway at Auckland airport.
A state of emergency has been issued for the New Zealand city as floodwaters overwhelmed homes and businesses following torrential rain.
Qantas flight QF148 was canceled after passengers had already boarded, forcing them to sit at the gate for several hours.
The Qantas check in area at Auckland airport last night as around 20 passengers were forced to stay overnight on board a canceled flight
The passengers were served food and drinks while they waited for the night on the plane.
They were also allowed to stretch their legs on the shuttle connecting the plane to the terminal before finally being able to return to the terminal around 2am.
Passenger Mark Andrews called Radio New Zealand to say that the “vibrations” on the plane were good despite the discomfort.
Flooding seen last night at Auckland airport passenger terminal
The lights were turned off so passengers could sleep and business class passengers were offered glasses of champagne, he said.
He said the crew “were concerned” that only half of the plane’s lavatories were working.
The passengers reportedly returned to the terminal around 1:45 a.m.
Auckland Airport was temporarily closed as floodwaters inundated check-in areas and passengers waded through ankle-deep water.
NCA Newswire has contacted Qantas and Auckland Airport for comment.
More to come.