Air New Zealand has cancelled a flight from Los Angeles after a collision with another aircraft on the tarmac.
Flight NZ5 from Los Angeles to Auckland was grounded last night after it sustained damage to its horizontal stabiliser.
A spokesperson for Air New Zealand said the Boeing 777-300 aircraft was parked on the gate and waiting for boarding when it was clipped from behind.
Air New Zealand general manager customer experience Anita Hawthorne said it was doing everything it could to assist stranded customers.
“Unfortunately 285 customers have had their flight cancelled,” she said yesterday.
“Many customers will, however, unfortunately need to overnight in Los Angeles and we are providing accommodation where necessary.”
Hawthorne said some customers were put on the NZ1 Los Angeles-Auckland service last night.
Other customers were re-routing via other North American ports or booking them on other airlines, she said.
Air New Zealand engineers were travelling to Los Angeles and a replacement part had been located.
It would need to be transported to Los Angeles and fitted to the aircraft, and this was likely to take several days to complete.
