Thousands of long haul international flights to Auckland diverted

Thousands of long haul international flights to Auckland have had to be diverted after a timber company ruptured the only jet fuel pipeline to the city’s airport.

27 international and domestic flights have had to be cancelled over the weekend and airlines have been warned they may have to land with enough fuel to depart for Australia as the pipeline may take up to two weeks to repair.

Many flights from North American airlines travelling to Auckland have had to have flights diverted to take on extra fuel in Pacific island countries such as Fiji and French Polynesia.