New Zealand Prime Minister Forced to Take Commercial Flight After Plane Breakdown

Image Credit: CNN

In an unexpected turn of events, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had to hitch a ride on a commercial Air New Zealand flight after his government aircraft encountered technical issues. This incident has sparked discussions about the reliability of aging government planes and has become one of today’s top stories in international news.

Prime Minister Luxon, along with a delegation of prominent business leaders, was on his way to Tokyo for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The group was traveling on a Royal New Zealand Defense Force Boeing 757, which made a scheduled refueling stop in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The aircraft, more than 30 years old, experienced a fuse issue that prevented it from continuing the journey, as confirmed by Luxon’s office to Reuters.

In a fortunate twist, Greg Foran, the CEO of Air New Zealand, was among the delegation. He quickly arranged for an Air New Zealand commercial flight traveling from Auckland to Tokyo to make an unscheduled stop in Port Moresby. This flight picked up some of the stranded passengers, including Prime Minister Luxon. Luxon’s office confirmed this arrangement to CNN.

Luxon’s Background in Aviation
Luxon, who was elected Prime Minister in 2023, has a unique connection to Air New Zealand, having served as its CEO for seven years before transitioning into politics. This background in aviation likely provided some reassurance during the unplanned travel change.

New Zealand’s Defense Minister Judith Collins labeled the situation as “embarrassing” in an interview with Kiwi radio station Newstalk ZB. Collins pointed out the challenges of relying on old aircraft for critical government functions. “We have a very old aircraft, and we are expecting it to perform like brand new out of the box, and that’s simply not going to happen,” Collins remarked. She also highlighted the reluctance to invest heavily in what some might consider non-essential upgrades.

This is not the first time a New Zealand leader has faced travel disruptions due to aircraft issues. In 2022, former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was stranded at Scott Base in Antarctica when her plane experienced mechanical problems. Ardern and her team eventually returned home on an Italian military jet.

The latest breakdown occurred due to a problem with a command module for a small flap on the wing, which affected the aircraft’s ability to fly at normal altitude and speed, thereby limiting its range. The issue was detected while the plane was on the ground in Papua New Guinea, according to a defense spokesperson.

Immediate Travel Arrangements
Following the detection of the problem, Prime Minister Luxon switched to a commercial flight from Port Moresby to Tokyo via Hong Kong late Sunday. Meanwhile, the accompanying delegation of business leaders and journalists had to wait until Monday to fly on the air force 757 to Brisbane, from where they caught a commercial flight to Tokyo.

Luxon’s visit to Tokyo, despite the travel hiccup, is part of a four-day official trip during which he is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The discussions are anticipated to cover various aspects of bilateral relations, trade, and regional developments, underscoring the importance of this visit despite the travel challenges.

Previous Travel Disruptions
This incident follows a similar travel disruption Luxon experienced in March, when he had to fly commercially to Australia for meetings with Southeast Asian leaders. On that occasion, a problem with the landing gear grounded his defense force plane while still on the tarmac in Wellington.

The recurring issues with New Zealand’s government aircraft underscore a broader need for modernization of the fleet to ensure reliable transportation for high-level officials. This latest incident has reignited discussions about the allocation of funds towards upgrading government transport capabilities, balancing cost against the necessity for reliable and efficient travel.

Prime Minister Luxon’s recent travel ordeal highlights the unpredictability of relying on aging aircraft for official travel. It also brings to light the critical role of effective crisis management and the importance of having contingency plans. As Luxon continues his diplomatic mission in Japan, the incident serves as a reminder of the logistical challenges faced by government leaders and the need for continued investment in reliable transportation infrastructure.

As reported by the NDTV in their recent article