21 Apr 2018

Air NZ flight to Japan forced to return to Auckland

3:13 pm on 21 April 2018

An Air New Zealand flight to Japan has had to turn around and return to Auckland after a problem with the plane's air system.

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A screenshot of a live flight tracker of ANZ99. Photo: Supplied / Flightradar24.com

Flight NZ99 left for Japan shortly before 10am carrying 256 passengers.

However, Air New Zealand said the aircraft had a problem with the on board air reticulation system and the plane has been made to return to Auckland Airport.

Flight radars show the plane circled a number of times off the coast of Northland.

It said engineers would attend to the aircraft when it landed and it was expected to return to service again later today.

Air New Zealand said it was working on re-accommodating passengers on alternative services.

It said there was no danger to passengers onboard the flight.

The plane is a 787-9 Dreamliner which this week has been subject to urgent global engine checks, however Air New Zealand said today's fault had nothing to do with that.