Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
An Air New Zealand flight from Nelson to Auckland was diverted to Hamilton on Tuesday morning after gas was smelt in the plane by the crew and pilot.
Chief operational integrity and safety officer David Morgan said those on board disembarked the plane in Hamilton as a precaution.
Alternative transport was being arranged for customers needing to get to Auckland.
The aircraft and baggage were being assessed.
A leading transport analyst expects domestic air tickets to continue to be discounted over the coming months as Air New Zealand grapples with falling demand.
Air New Zealand is expecting lower profits as it faces volatile fuel prices, increased competition, and uncertain demand.
The national carrier will give travellers more time to use credits for flights grounded during the pandemic.
Almost 150,000 passengers will have their flights impacted after Air New Zealand was forced to ground two planes amid a global engine shortage.
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