Fault forces plane's return to Auckland one-third of the way to Kerikeri

A Bombardier Dash 8, the type of plane which had to turn back to Auckland during a flight to Kerikeri because of an engineering problem.

A fault forced an Air New Zealand flight to Kerikeri to be abandoned today.

Flight NZ8266 got as far as the skies over Warkworth before returning to Auckland Airport, where it had started at 8.35am.

Passengers were put on other flights.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "Air New Zealand flight NZ8266 from Auckland to Kerikeri returned to Auckland this morning due to an engineering issue.

"Customers have been reaccommodated on alternative services."

The spokeswoman has not answered other questions, including how many passengers were on the affected plane.

The plane is a Bombardier Dash 8.

The route taken by the plane which had to turn back to Auckland during a flight to Kerikeri. Source: flightradar24.com