7.00pm
A "non specific threat" against an Air New Zealand aircraft flying from Brisbane to Auckland sparked a security alert this afternoon.
Air NZ said tonight in a statement that as a result of an overheard remark in Brisbane a non-specific threat to New Zealand bound flights was logged with
security personnel.
As Air NZ flight NZ 136 was en route from Brisbane to Auckland the information was relayed to the flight's captain.
One News reported that the flight was kept in the air for 40 minutes circling near Auckland airport while emergency measures were taken.
When the Boeing 767 with 262 passengers landed safely, shortly after 6pm, it was immediately surrounded by security personel.
However Air NZ said that while the plane was in the air security personnel in Australia and New Zealand carried out a detailed threat assessment and concluded there was no threat to any aircraft flying across the Tasman.
The assessment was agreed with by police in Wellington, Air NZ said.
- NZPA
