Norovirus scare grounds Air NZ flight

File photo / NZ Herald

Passengers of an internal flight at Christchurch Airport were held on board the plane after it emerged a tour group had been exposed to the stomach bug Norovirus.

The Mt Cook flight NZ5374 from Queenstown to Christchurch was held on the tarmac while health authorities were called in after the passengers reported feeling unwell. It emerged they had been exposed to Norovirus, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

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"[The flight] was delayed this morning while advice was sought from Canterbury regional public health authorities after reports of unwell passengers on board," a spokeswoman for Air New Zealand said.

"The unwell passengers were part of a tour party of 40 -- some of whom indicated to our cabin crew that the group had been exposed to Norovirus.

"After public health authorities had assessed the situation the all-clear was given to disembark the passengers, with the unwell passengers advised they cannot be accepted for further travel until they are well again."

Earlier, one passenger, Charles Finney, tweeted: "Not allowed to leave flight at Christchurch because health authorities worried passengers might have contagious virus! A first for me!"

He continued to update the situation, saying he was "furious" the tour group got on board knowing some of them were unwell.

"Worried about Norovirus. Tour group has had unwell people for days apparently but still travelled!," he posted.

At 10.40am he tweeted he was "free at last", but that many were unhappy at missing meetings and connecting flights.

A spokeswoman for Christchurch Airport confirmed that a medical call-out was taking place at the time, saying: "We are going through the usual processes for such circumstances."