Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner diverted to Guam due to strange odor on board

Travelers on a flight between Taiwan and New Zealand made an unexpected diversion to the U.S. territory of Guam early Friday morning, but the flight attendants were alarmed by an unexplained odor and diverted the flight.

Air New Zealand Flight 78 (NZ-78) departed Taipei and was en route to Auckland. About two hours into the 10-hour flight, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner diverted north to Guam Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM).

As reported by the New Zealand press thingPassengers said the smell was similar to electrical burns. However, many passengersI had no idea what was going on. However, it appears that firefighters entered the aircraft upon arrival in Guam.

Repurposed due to its abundant safety

Air New Zealand, which operates flight NZ-78 to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) three times a week, flew on the night of February 1, approximately 22 minutes late from its usual departure time of 18:30 local time. We departed at 52:00. The flight quickly climbed to a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet and traveled southeast for 10 hours to Auckland International Airport (AKL).

Less than a quarter of the way into the flight, the aircraft was diverted due to an odor that could not be abated. It landed in Guam around 2:30 a.m. on February 2. Passengers were then required to remain on the plane for five hours before deplaning.

Photo: Carlos Yudica | Shutterstock

According to data from Flightradar24.comthe aircraft remained on the apron until 15:43, then conducted a 45-minute test flight.

Approximately 300 evacuated passengers and crew remained on Guam overnight until the aircraft, registered as ZK-NZF, was ready to return to the skies and successfully fly to Auckland. The plane landed in the City of Sails at 6:55 a.m. on February 4.

related

Air New Zealand to carry nearly 4 million more passengers in 2023

The airline could only manage 12.3 million passengers in 2022 due to continued border restrictions due to COVID-19.

safety first

Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan said local technicians had completed a thorough investigation and maintenance of the odor location before confirming the aircraft was ready for takeoff. It is said that new zealand herald.

“All inspections were successful and after a short check flight by the crew, the aircraft was cleared to continue its flight to Auckland. The safety of our customers and employees is our top priority, so It was important to carry out these engineering checks as a precaution.The aircraft safely arrived in Auckland at 6:55am this morning.

“Our team worked hard to accommodate as many guests as possible overnight on Guam. Those who booked their own accommodations can claim compensation for associated costs.”

Photo: Viper Zero | Shutterstock

ZK-NZF was delivered to Air New Zealand on 27 September 2014. Airfleets.netIt is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines and can accommodate up to 18 people in business class, 21 people in premium economy class, and 263 people in economy class.