Flights delayed at Auckland Airport as city experiences 130 lightning strikes in five minutes

December 4, 2018
Air New Zealand flight attendant passing through the new Auckland airport International departure area.  Over 10 million passengers use Auckland international terminal each year

A lightning warning at Auckland Airport earlier this morning has now been cleared.

The airport confirmed to 1 NEWS that all flights will now resume to schedule and all planes can now refuel.

They say an alarm was triggered by the lightning in the domestic terminal. The international terminal was unaffected.

Eighteen domestic flights and two international flights have been delayed today. Three international flights have been diverted.

According to NIWA there were 130 lightning strikes in Auckland in a five minute period this morning.  

The airport can't say whether the delays are because of lightning.

Air New Zealand say they're experiencing disruptions.

"Thunderstorms in Auckland are causing disruption to international and domestic flights," they say.

"Please defer any non-urgent travel and as we’re experiencing high call volumes, if possible please make changes to your booking online . Thanks for your support."

Power outages

Lightning strikes across Auckland have caused a number of power outages across Auckland.

Vector tweeted that the 130 lightning strikes experienced across the city this morning may cause outages.

The company’s map showed seven outages in the wider region, including one in the Stanmore/Whangaparaoa area on the North Shore.

There were also outages in Mangere and Manukau/Papatoetoe in South Auckland and two grids in the Waitakere Ranges.

There were another two outages north of the city, between Helensville and Dairy Flat was also affected and between Waioneke and the South Kaipara Head.

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