Auckland Airport. Photo: 123RF
Passengers have been unloaded from a Qantas flight that suffered an engine fault ahead of its departure from Auckland Airport this on Friday evening.
A Qantas spokesperson said they understand passengers from flight QF148 bound for Sydney would be put up in accommodation while engineers inspected the plane for any damage.
They said no one was hurt in the incident but passengers may have heard a loud bang.
People took to social media to report other flights being delayed as crews swept the runway clear of debris.
The airport said in a statement, "A departing international aircraft reported an issue during takeoff roll just after 7.30pm tonight and left the runway shortly afterwards, returning safely to the departure gate.
"The safety of travellers is always Auckland Airport's top priority and we quickly carried out a routine inspection of the airfield, meaning the runway needed to close for a short time."
After discovering debris on the runway, the airport dispatched two sweeper trucks to clear it.
The short closure of the runway created a number of flight delays and some diversions for arriving flights, the airport said.
Nine flight departures were delayed, three aircraft diverted and three held in a holding pattern.
The runway had since safely reopened after being closed for about an hour.
An airport spokesperson said there would be an investigation into the incident.