Eighteen tourists from New Zealand were forced to sleep outside Rarotonga airport last Friday after their Virgin Australia flight unexpectedly returned to the Cook Islands.
Virgin Australia told the Cook Islands News the pilot turned back two hours into the flight as a precaution after a fuel pump indicator light turned on.
The airline said it was unable to find accommodation for all passengers as their plane landed in the early hours of the morning.
The 18 New Zealanders spent the night sitting and sleeping on benches under an awning while other passengers were accommodated in Rarotonga hotels with a late checkout time.
