Refunds for airshow ticket holders

A 30km-long traffic jam ensued as people tried to get to to an airshow at Ohakea celebrating the RNZAF's 75th anniversary. File photo / NZ Herald

People who had tickets to the Air Force's 75th anniversary show at Ohakea in the Manwatu today, but were unable to enter due to the traffic chaos, will be refunded the ticket price.

A 30 kilometre-long traffic snarl up prevented thousands of people from attending the airshow. Some people were so put off by the congestion, they just decided to go home.

Police earlier attributed the traffic jam to a collision between a car and a motorcycle in the area around 9am, however a witness who passed the accident shortly after it occurred said the traffic began building up closer to the air base itself.

The queue increased as an estimated 60,000 people headed to Ohakea for the airshow.

By 10am, traffic was backed up at least 30km to Levin and beyond. It was still stalled at midday and police expected the problem to continue throughout the afternoon.

The airshow, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, was expected to be a huge event. More than 10,000 people bought tickets online and another 50,000 were expected to turn up at the gates.

Those trapped in traffic had doubts they would even see the show as they crawled towards the air base at around two kilometres an hour.

Nic Steenhout, 40, said he left his home in Palmerston North at 9am. The journey would usually take 25 minutes but by 11am he was yet to reach halfway.

"We might not be there till after lunch at this rate. This is the military, you would expect them to be quite logistical and organised," Steenhout said.

"A whole lot of people are getting out and walking."

Steenhout was unable to see the planes flying from the road, he added.

Local resident Leslie Potroz said the traffic had built up from 8am - an hour before the show kicked off.

"It's terrible. It's been there all morning, since I went to get the mail. There must be a lot of disappointed people. A lot of people are turning around."

The motorcyclist involved in the accident near the air base was taken to Palmerston North Hospital with serious head injuries.

From Monday, ticket holders will be able to have their ticket price refunded through Eventfinder.