Mayday: Air New Zealand flight makes mid-pacific emergency call

Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9, photographed on 20 September 2014 from Wolfe Air Aviation's Learjet 25B.

An Air New Zealand flight with around 300 people onboard was involved in an emergency as it flew from Nadi to Auckland on Sunday.

About an hour out from Auckland, the crew onboard Flight NZ953 put out a mayday call to air traffic controllers in Auckland.

“Air New Zealand flight NZ953 experienced an air conditioning fault while at cruising altitude between Nadi to Auckland,” David Morgan, Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer told Travel Weekly.

“Passenger safety was never at risk, however, the captain notified air traffic control of the need to descend in accordance with standard operating procedures.”

Morgan confirmed an emergency call was initially made, however, this was “quickly downgraded to an urgency situation.”

Fire and Emergency New Zealand dispatched multiple fire appliances to the airport when the mayday call was made, however these were eventually stood down.

The airline has apologised for any concern passengers may have felt on arrival.

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