Air New Zealand is disappointed with a group of passengers who chose to board a flight from Queenstown to Christchurch knowing some of them were unwell, a spokesperson says.
Passengers were prevented from leaving a flight after it landed at Christchurch airport this morning due to concerns about unwell passengers.
Air New Zealand chief medical officer Tim Sprott said they sought advice from local health authorities after reports that several passengers in a tour group were unwell.
The passengers were checked by a doctor, and one was diagnosed with gastroenteritis and another with air sickness.
Dr Sprott said while check in and gate staff screened passengers for obvious signs of illness, it was largely up to passengers to be responsible and self-report.
The group showed a complete lack of concern for the health and wellbeing of their fellow travellers, he said.
Passengers were allowed to leave the plane about an hour after landing, and the unwell passengers had been told they could not travel any further until they were well again.
Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey said there was heightened awareness around passenger sickness due to the Ebola scare, and they would expect to be contacted in any case where several passengers on a flight show signs of illness.
