Police escort man off New Plymouth-bound Air NZ flight, ‘concerning remarks’ delay take-off

Police removed a man from a flight preparing to leave Auckland yesterday after “concerning remarks” he’d made while on board the plane.

Air New Zealand flight NZ5047 to New Plymouth was originally scheduled to depart Auckland at 4.05pm.

With the departure time delayed, police were informed of a passenger whose behaviour on the aircraft – stationed at Auckland Airport’s domestic terminal – constituted a possible security risk.

“A customer was offloaded from flight NZ5047 prior to departure yesterday due to a potential security concern,” Air New Zealand’s chief safety and risk officer Nathan McGraw said.

A police spokesperson said the man had “made concerning remarks” and was “believed to be intoxicated”.

He was removed from the flight by police officers, who then left the matter with the airline concerned.

Air New Zealand flight NZ5047 from Auckland to New Plymouth was delayed because of a security concern. Photo / Michael Craig

“There was no risk to other passengers,” police said.

Once the man was removed from the plane, McGraw said the flight “departed a short time after”.

Police did not initially identify the airline involved, although a Jetstar spokesperson said it wasn’t aware of any reports of disorderly behaviour on its planes leaving Auckland yesterday.

Air New Zealand did not provide further detail when questioned about the nature of the comments and whether the man had been banned, warned or penalised.

Police also declined to comment further.

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