Aircraft struck by lightning lands safely at Auckland Airport

Scores of passengers had their travel plans disrupted after an Air New Zealand plane was struck by lightning this afternoon.

Air NZ spokeswoman Rosie Paul said the Boeing 737 aircraft was travelling between Wellington and Auckland about midday when it was struck.

It was not clear if passengers would have been aware of what had happened.

"Certainly on the flight deck they would feel it, but sometimes when these things happen, I don't think it's a great 'bang' or anything like that," Ms Paul said.

The aircraft landed safely at Auckland Airport but was taken out of service while it was checked for damage.

" ... it has meant we have had to cancel four flights today," Ms Paul said.

"You don't know where (lightning) strikes, it's usually at the front of the aircraft, but they have to be checked fairly carefully, the whole of the aircraft, just in case there is any damage."

Passengers on flights from Auckland-Wellington, Wellington-Auckland, Auckland-Christchurch, and Christchurch-Auckland were to be put on other services.

It was hoped the aircraft would be back in service tomorrow.

"It's not something that happens every day," Ms Paul said.

No other flights were affected by bad weather across the country today.

- NZPA