Prime Minister-Hon. Dalton Tagelagi has expressed his disappointment with the airline Air NZ after seven passengers who expected to travel on last Friday’s (October 18, 2024) flight to Niue ahead of the constitution celebrations were disallowed from embarking due to the aircraft exceeding its weight limitations.
In a statement to BCN News, Air New Zealand’s Chief Operating Officer, Alex Marren said “Due to adverse weather conditions in parts of the South Pacific this morning, the decision was made to add more fuel to NZ936 to support alternate airport requirements.
Unfortunately as a consequence six customers were offloaded from the flight in order to ensure the weight and balance of the aircraft met operational safety requirements. She said that they know this is frustrating for impacted customers and they sincerely apologise for the disruption to the passengers plans.
Speaking to BCN News, one passenger who wished to remain anonymous said how the airline approached passengers was the controversial part and their management of the situation required better thought.
Four passengers were offered a chartered flight later that day which arrived in Niue late on Friday evening, in time for the celebrations the next day.