NZ flight denied landing in China

WELLINGTON: An Air New Zealand flight was forced to return to Auckland halfway to Shanghai yesterday after it was found the aircraft was not allowed to land in China.

“Flight NZ289 Auckland to Shanghai returned to Auckland around five hours into its journey after it was discovered a technicality meant the particular aircraft operating this service did not have regulatory authority to land in China,” the carrier said.

It could not immediately confirm what type of plane was involved or how many passengers and crew were affected.