Adele fans stranded after flight to Auckland cancelled

Many Adele fans were left stranded in New Plymouth after Jetstar suddenly cancelled their flight to Auckland.

The singer’s concert was held in Auckland last night, and received rave reviews.

A Jetstar spokesman said the airline cancelled two flights from New Plymouth to Auckland due to pilot sickness at short notice. ‘‘We regret the cancellations and sincerely apologise to our customers for the inconvenience.’’

Customers were advised by text and email prior to 1pm and offered the option of a full refund or alternative transport to Auckland by bus, he said.

But the bus was news to many people in New Plymouth, including upset Adele fan Beth FindlayHeath.

‘‘They wouldn’t have had much time to turn around a bus option. A bus wouldn’t have got there on time.’’

After she received the text she tried to get hold of Jetstar, she said. ‘‘I got the online assistant, which is shocking. I had no luck on phone. Tonight I got hold of them around 6pm – she was very good to deal with and did give me a refund.’’

She got to the point where she had to decide whether she would jump in the car and go. But she had talked to a colleague who had driven up in the morning and was told the traffic was horrendous from Huntly onwards, she said. Eventually, she decided she didn’t have time to drive up.

‘‘I’m pretty annoyed. I had to jump through a few hoops to get the tickets and go in the first place.’’

Luckily she was able to sell her ticket to a friend in Auckland, she said. ‘‘But I’m unlucky missing an amazing experience.’’

Adele who hails from north London, performed in Auckland hours after a man drove through a crowd by the British Parliament before stabbing a police officer to death. On stage at Mt Smart Stadium, Adele told fans it was heartwrenching to be so far away, as she dedicated her song Make You Feel My Love to the victims.