Air NZ grounds Mt Cook fleet

“As a result of more aircraft re-entering service we will be able to get nearly all of our passengers to their destination, albeit there will be changes to the timing of some flights,” said Mount Cook Airline General Manager Sarah Williamson.

Five ATR aircraft will be operational by the end of today, with a further two expected to be back in service by Thursday.

Mount Cook will also have the support of additional Air New Zealand aircraft to operate some of its sectors. 

UPDATE March 19, 4pm: MAir New Zealand expects to have have another three of its Mount Cook Airline expects to ATR72-500 aircraft back in the air tomorrow following an inspection of its full fleet of 11 aircraft.

General Manager Sarah Williamson said with the additional aircraft expected to return to the fleet tomorrow Mount Cook would have five of its 68-seat aircraft flying. A further two aircraft are expected to be back in service by Thursday.

Three aircraft require closer inspection
One aircraft remains in the hanger for pre-planned maintenance and at this stage three aircraft require closer examination. This will be carried out in conjunction with aircraft manufacturer ATR, which is working around the clock to assist, Air NZ says.

UPDATE Monday March 19, 7am: Mount Cook Airline expects to operate about two thirds of its normal seat capacity tomorrow with three ATR aircraft in service and additional flying from other aircraft in the Air New Zealand fleet, the company says.

Around 2000 passengers will have their travel disrupted.

Late last night, Mount Cook General Manager Sarah Williamson says inspections continue on the rest of the fleet in conjunction with aircraft manufacturer ATR.

“We are making good progress. Of our fleet of 11 aircraft, we expect two aircraft to be operating tomorrow; three others require closer examination and five are well advanced in the inspection process." 

One aircraft was already in the hangar for pre-planned maintenance.

March 18: Air New Zealand grounded 11 ATR turboprop aircraft in its Mt Cook Airline fleet earlier today after hairline cracks were found in the area around windows of the cockpit in one aircraft during routine maintenance.

As of 4pm, two ATRs had been inspected and were back in the air, but others in the French-made fleet may be grounded for days.

Up to 3000 customers were expected to be affected by today’s disruption.

Air New Zealand used an A320 aircraft  to keep Mt Cook services between Christchurch-Dunedin and Christchurch-Wellington running, but flights to multiple provincial destinations were cancelled.

The ATR aircraft have been in service with Mt Cook since 1999 and have an average age of 10.9 years. The 68-seat aircraft operate to 10 destinations around New Zealand.