Night flights postponed as volcanic activity continues
Monday, March 23, 2009 - 11:54
Two Air New Zealand night flights to Tonga were postponed over the weekend due to the potential hazard presented by a plume of volcanic ash and steam coming from the continuing Hunga Ha'apai eruption close to Tongatapu.
Please subscribe to access premium content.
- Read more about Night flights postponed as volcanic activity continues
- Log in or register to post comments
Comments
Volcanic eruption disrupts
Volcanic eruption disrupts Air NZ Tonga flights - Lopeti Senituli, Press Secretary/Political Adviser to the Prime Minister
I refer to the article, “Night flights postponed as volcanic activity continues,” which was published on your site on 23 March 2009.
In the article, Sue Gardiner, the Air New Zealand agent in Tonga, is quoted as saying, “I discussed it with the Prime Minister to request a Sunday flight to minimise disruption, particularly with Tonga’s perishable export cargo, but he said no.”
This quote is totally untrue. Sue Gardiner did not speak with the Hon Prime Minister at all. - Lopeti Senituli, Press Secretary/Political Adviser to the Hon Prime Minister
Editor’s note - The story was posted last night. This morning we received Lopeti’s letter. Sue has clarified her remark that it was the Minister of Transport, Paul Karalus, who asked the PM on her behalf and he told her on Friday evening that the PM said no. The story was updated this afternoon to clarify what Sue said.