Travel advice as chaos breaks out

Air New Zealand says passengers who fear they may be caught up in the Muslim travel clampdown ordered by US president Donald Trump should contact the US consulate ‘‘for clarity’’.

‘‘Any customer currently booked to travel with Air New Zealand who finds that their travel is impacted should contact us directly to discuss options with regard to their booking,’’ spokeswoman Brigitte Ransom added.

Trump issued an executive order on Friday temporarily barring travellers with passports from seven Muslim-majority countries – including Syria, Iraq and Iran – from the US.

Trump said the move would help protect Americans from terrorist attacks.

Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported the arrival ban was even affecting passengers who only intended to transit through the US.

Hamaseh Tayari, a vet resident in Britain with an Iranian passport who had been holidaying in Costa Rica, was unable to board her return flight via New York after her transit visa was revoked, it reported.

Reuters reported the rule changes had plunged the US immigration system into chaos, and that legal US residents had been left stranded after being denied permission to board flights back to the US.

Five Iraqi passengers and one Yemeni were barred from boarding an EgyptAir flight from Cairo to New York on Saturday despite having valid visas, it reported.

Anjum Rahman, spokeswoman for the Islamic Women’s Council, said it appeared anyone born in the seven countries would be denied entry to the US, regardless of their citizenship and even if they had ‘‘full New Zealand passports’’.

She said there had been reports of Muslims being harassed on arrival in the US. ‘‘People are being detained, having their social media accounts checked over and being asked how they feel about Trump’’.

Rahman is offering to help find temporary accommodation in New Zealand for anyone impacted by the ban. She was unaware of anyone in that situation, noting most flights to the US left mid-afternoon.

Green Party immigration spokesperson Denise Roche called on the Government to join France and Germany in condemning the travel ban.

Qantas passengers who are unable to board flights will have their flight costs refunded, or be allowed to change their destination.

The airline is advising customers with concerns to contact the airline or the travel agent where they made their booking, and to their government’s consulate if necessary. ’’Qantas notes the advice from the US government regarding tighter entry conditions. We will reflect this change in our processes and booking systems, however it is not likely to materially impact Qantas passengers,’’ a spokesman said.

"People are being detained ... and being asked how they feel about Trump." Islamic Women's Council spokeswoman Anjum Rahman