Lightning strikes are one of the rare but calculated risks of air traffic. But when an airline is affected twice within a few hours, it attracts attention. Air New Zealand, New Zealand’s national airline, experienced two incidents with its aircraft in the second week of December. Despite the safety technologies of modern aircraft, the events lead to flight cancellations, delays and extensive safety checks.
On December 9th, Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787-9 took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Auckland (AKL). Flight NZ1 must be used to operate the aircraft, and the aircraft was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. According to flight data, the aircraft, registered ZK-NZL, remained grounded overnight while maintenance and safety inspections were carried out.
Air New Zealand can travel in hotels and travel if you have an alternative flight and book flights on American Airlines and United Airlines. The technical incident and the resulting inspection times led to the crew’s maximum duty hours being exceeded, which ultimately made it necessary to cancel the flight.
On December 10th, after successful maintenance work, the aircraft finally took off and completed its return flight to Auckland without further incident. According to reports, the aircraft resumed regular service a few days later on routes to Melbourne and Honolulu.
Second incident: Lightning struck a Boeing 777 after takeoff from Auckland
The effects of the first lightning strike had barely been overcome when another Air New Zealand plane fell victim to a similar incident just a few hours later. The flight from Auckland to Papeete, French Polynesia, was struck by lightning on December 9th.
The Boeing 777-300ER, registered with ZK-OKV, was caught in a thunderstorm shortly after its delayed takeoff at 8:38 p.m. Run for 20 minutes after opening the pilots at Auckland International Airport. Comprehensive safety inspections were carried out there to rule out possible damage.
Passengers who originally wanted to travel to Papeete were able to continue their journey with a replacement flight on the same plane. Passengers also experienced delays on their return flight to Auckland as they had to be rebooked the next day.
Air New Zealand’s handling of lightning strikes
Lightning strikes on aircraft are not uncommon in aviation. Modern aircraft such as the Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777 are equipped with a conductive outer shell that allows electrical current to flow safely. In addition, the Faraday cage, a proven physical principle, protects passengers from electrical charges and electromagnetic fields.
Despite these safety measures, aircraft must be thoroughly inspected after a lightning strike to rule out potential damage. Electronic systems and the outer shell in particular play a crucial role.
In a statement, Air New Zealand emphasized the routine of its safety precautions and the high level of training of its crew. According to Alex Marren, the airline’s chief operating officer, inspections in the case of flight NZ1 took longer than expected, making the flight’s cancellation unavoidable.
Passenger reactions and future challenges
The affected passengers are mostly understanding, but also expressed dissatisfaction on social media about delays and the organizational effort involved in rebooking. Particularly on long-haul flights, such incidents can cause significant disruption for travelers with tight schedules or connecting flights.
For Air New Zealand, these twin incidents are a test of its operations and crisis management. The airline’s focus is on the safety of passengers and personnel as well as on presenting measures and clear communication strategies.
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