Air New Zealand Flight NZ946 Forced to Abort Rarotonga Landing After Nearly 8 Hours in the Air Due to Severe Weather – What Happened Next?

Published on November 19, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

In an unusual turn of events on November 19, 2025, Air New Zealand flight NZ946, scheduled to travel from Auckland (AKL) to Rarotonga (RAR) in the Cook Islands, was forced to abort its landing after a near eight-hour journey, circling above the destination airport before returning to Auckland. The flight, which had taken off with hopes of reaching the Cook Islands, encountered unforeseen severe weather conditions that made it impossible to safely land.

Uncommon Turnaround: What Happened in the Sky?

The flight, initially scheduled to last a few hours, quickly became part of a rare aviation occurrence. As per flight tracking data, the aircraft circled near Rarotonga for over an hour before making the decision to return to Auckland after nearly eight hours of airborne time. While delays of this nature are uncommon for Air New Zealand, they have occurred occasionally in the region due to severe weather events.

A separate, corroborating report indicated that another Air New Zealand flight destined for Rarotonga from Auckland was also unable to land because of the adverse weather conditions. This led to further delays, including the postponement of the return leg to New Zealand. In the rare event of a return flight like this, the airline typically opts for a return to the departure airport rather than risking a potentially unsafe landing, especially with long-haul flights operating in areas prone to tropical storms.

Severe Weather Causes Widespread Disruptions in Aviation

Aviation authorities in New Zealand have long warned travelers of the potential for delays in the Cook Islands region due to its geographical location, often subject to unpredictable weather patterns, including storms and tropical cyclones. On November 19, the Cook Islands were experiencing inclement weather, including high winds and heavy rainfall, which made it unsafe for aircraft to make a safe landing.

According to New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), adverse weather conditions such as these typically cause disruptions in flight schedules and can lead to diversions or turnarounds in some extreme cases. The CAA advises airlines to take precautionary measures, including circling over the destination airport and waiting for the weather to clear, or, as in this case, returning to the original departure airport when conditions do not improve in a timely manner.

Safety First: Why Return Flights Are Necessary

Long-haul flights, particularly those traveling to islands like Rarotonga, face unique challenges when weather prevents a safe landing. The decision to return to Auckland after almost eight hours of air time is a precautionary measure taken by Air New Zealand, ensuring that passengers’ safety is not compromised. These types of turnarounds are rare but are sometimes necessary when an airport’s conditions fall below the required safety thresholds for a landing.

In general, when a flight cannot land at its intended destination due to weather, the aircraft is often forced to circle the airport in a holding pattern while awaiting the weather to improve. If conditions do not change, the aircraft may have to return to its departure airport, leading to significant delays, and sometimes a change in the overall flight schedule.

Impact on Tourism and Return Flights

Rarotonga, one of the Cook Islands’ most visited destinations, heavily relies on air connectivity from New Zealand for its tourism industry. The delay and subsequent cancellation of flights not only impacts those traveling to the region but also disrupts the flow of travelers returning to New Zealand. This ripple effect creates a logistical challenge for travelers who are forced to adjust their travel plans accordingly.

New Zealand’s government and aviation officials have worked extensively to implement measures to reduce delays and ensure passengers have support during such interruptions. In cases of significant flight disruptions, passengers are often provided with accommodation, rebooking options, and guidance on how to manage their affected travel plans.

Government Efforts to Minimize Weather-Related Flight Disruptions

New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority, in partnership with Air New Zealand, continues to monitor weather conditions in real time to prevent such disruptions from affecting passengers whenever possible. They also provide detailed forecasts and advisories to airlines to allow for better planning and anticipation of weather events that may cause delays or cancellations.

In addition to safety and operational procedures, the government has been focused on improving infrastructure to support the tourism sector in regions like Rarotonga. Efforts to ensure smoother flight operations despite adverse weather include advanced tracking systems, storm prediction technologies, and upgraded airport facilities designed to handle emergencies more efficiently.

Looking Forward: Solutions to Prevent Flight Delays

As travel to remote destinations like the Cook Islands grows, the importance of robust air travel systems and effective communication between airlines and passengers becomes paramount. New Zealand, along with international aviation authorities, will continue to work toward improving the resilience of flights in adverse weather conditions. While diversions and delays are not uncommon, they will continue to work towards minimizing their frequency and impact on passengers.

In conclusion, Air New Zealand’s Flight NZ946 returning to Auckland after nearly 8 hours of air time serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the importance of prioritizing passenger safety above all else. Weather-related diversions are rare but necessary for the protection of travelers, and with improvements in technology and planning, future disruptions may be reduced.

Image: Air New Zealand