Air NZ cancelled three Timaru-Wellington flights on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Transport investigators are looking into why a plane at Timaru Airport suddenly aborted an attempted take-off on Wednesday morning.
Richard Pearse Airport has re-opened this evening following what Air New Zealand describes as "bird activity" that led to flight cancellations and the airport's closure.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission said it was looking into what happened.
Neither the commission, the Civil Aviation Authority, the airline nor the Timaru District Council - which owns the airport - will clarify exactly what led to the disruption.
Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer Captain David Morgan earlier said a flight from Timaru to Wellington was cancelled.
"Flight NZ8190 from Timaru to Wellington rejected take-off this morning due to pilot concerns about bird activity in the take-off path," he said in a statement.
"The aircraft stopped on the runway and will remain there while standard procedures take place, before being moved back to the terminal. The airline is working with the relevant authorities to ensure all aspects of the event are shared and understood."
The airline did not elaborate on what the standard procedures were or what the birds were doing to led to the flights' cancellation.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission said there were no injuries as a result of the aborted take-off and no damage to the plane.
It has appointed a team of three investigators.