Cyclone Gabrielle: High winds force suspension of ground-handling operations at Auckland; no international or domestic flights can depart

High winds have forced the suspension of ground-handling operations at Auckland Airport from now until midnight, meaning no international or domestic passenger flights can depart or arrive until tomorrow.

Travellers with booked flights tonight were asked not to go to the airport and to contact their airline. Those already in check-in were asked to return home or to their accommodation.

The airport said some travellers arriving tonight will not be able to collect their checked bags as normal, because they cannot be returned to them safely Instead, travellers are asked to complete a form and report their missing bags in the baggage hall.

Airport officials said the organisation was “working with airline partners to support stranded passengers”.

“Safety comes first at Auckland Airport and given current high winds and the need to ensure the safety of everyone working in and around the airport apron areas, ground-handling operators have decided to suspend operations for the rest of the night,” said Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker in a statement at 6.45pm.

“These are the people who manage the baggage loading and unloading, airbridge connections, passenger embarking and disembarking, and aircraft refuelling and ground handling services – they need to be safe when they’re working on the airfield, and the airport system can’t operate without them.

“We apologise to travellers for the disruption, particularly those that have already experienced significant travel challenges over the past couple of weeks. The weather just hasn’t been on our side, but the safety of staff and passengers come first as we manage through the impacts of this severe weather event.”

Cargo flights, medical emergency flights and private charter flights can still arrive and depart.

The airport said the international terminal remains open.

Earlier today passengers battled queues and suffered long waits after some flights resumed earlier today, following a 24-hour pause on Monday in the path of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Air New Zealand earlier today announced it had cancelled all domestic flights in and out of Auckland for the rest of the day, in a move expected to affect about 55 flights.

Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer Captain David Morgan said the strength and direction of winds at Auckland Airport were making it challenging to service aircraft, and it would be unsafe for staff “to continue to operate in these conditions”.

“With forecast strong winds for the remainder of the day, customers are warned to expect ongoing disruption and delays. Although Air New Zealand plans to resume scheduled services from tomorrow, there will be challenges.

“Today’s disruptions mean tomorrow will begin without all aircraft and crew in the locations required. We can also expect ongoing weather challenges, so we’re asking customers to please bear with us - our people are doing everything they can. Customers are advised to change their flight or put it into credit via the Air New Zealand app.”

Earlier today, four domestic services were able to land at the airport today with the remaining departures cancelled until 7am tomorrow.

Passengers on recently arrived jet services reported being held on the runway for over an hour. Jetstar JQ292 and Air New Zealand NZ6140 fleyrs were told it was “too windy” to disembark passengers.

Domestic and international flights are currently suspended, due to high winds.
Ground handling operations (baggage loading/unloading) have needed to pause due to wind speed on the airfield, and the need to protect the safety of airport workers.

— Auckland Airport (@AKL_Airport) February 14, 2023

A spokesperson for Air New Zealand confirmed high winds were challenging airport operations in some parts of the country.

The cancellations of services led to a huge backlog in passengers at the airport terminals, hoping to fly this afternoon.

Passenger Mary Haddock-Staniland shared queues of travellers waiting for cancelled flights and delayed luggage.

Auckland Domestic Airport is chaotic right now. They’ve just cancelled all domestic flights. Lots of upset people. Some very grumpy people around. I need a be kind t shirt! Thank you to the @FlyAirNZ and @AKL_Airport teams guiding folks around the terminal. pic.twitter.com/L5bwVJ0Wd0

— Mary Haddock-Staniland (@MaryHadStan) February 14, 2023

“Auckland Domestic Airport is chaotic right now,” she tweeted.

High winds hold up restart

Earlier this afternoon Auckland Airport warned there would be a bumpy restart to flights.

“There may be delays and queuing, particularly if high winds make it unsafe for airline ground handling staff to load and unload baggage from the aircraft,” says Scott Tasker the airport’s chief customer officer.

Auckland's domestic terminal was full of disrupted passengers, this afternoon. Photo / Supplied 14 February

One passenger said they were held on the tarmac for 90 minutes after landing, as it was too windy to put air bridges in place. “The Air New Zealand staff communicated well with passengers, handed out chips and water,” they said.

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Auckland Airport said that it was the decision of airlines as to whether they proceeded with flights. They said that delays on the tarmac were a matter of safety.

“To ensure the safety of everyone in and around the airport apron areas, some restrictions may be put in place during periods of high winds, including the need to pause baggage loading and unloading, airbridge connections and passenger embarking and disembarking.”

After a 30-hour suspension due to Cyclone Gabrielle, flights resumed this morning for international and later this afternoon for domestic. Not without problems.

A total of 96 domestic flights were scheduled at the airport today and 104 international.

Air New Zealand’s chief customer Leanne Geraghty said 11 flights were added to the domestic schedule to help reduce the backlog of disrupted travel.