An Air New Zealand flight was delayed this afternoon after it was discovered that a passenger's checked in baggage had a rifle in it.
Passengers wait for their flights at Auckland Airport. Photo: 123RF
Flight 547 from Auckland to Christchurch was delayed after Aviation Security asked for a passenger's checked in bag to be removed from the aircraft's hold, the airline said.
The owner of the bag had already boarded but co-operated and got off the plane, it said.
Another passenger said the pilot announced that the proper process for checking in the gun was not followed.
The flight was delayed by about 35 minutes.
Air New Zealand said the passenger was rebooked on a later flight.