New Zealand cancels flights as ‘significant’ deluge from Cyclone Gabrielle looms
- Air New Zealand is cancelling all domestic flights to and from Auckland through midday Tuesday as well as many international flights
- Cyclone Gabrielle, already affecting northern New Zealand, is expected to dump up to 250 millimetres of rain on Auckland on Monday
New Zealand’s national carrier cancelled dozens of flights on Sunday as Aucklanders braced for a deluge from Cyclone Gabrielle, two weeks after a record-breaking storm swamped the nation’s largest city and killed four people.
Air New Zealand said it was cancelling all domestic flights to and from Auckland through midday on Tuesday as well as many international flights. The carrier said some international routes would continue operating, although flights might need to be diverted from Auckland.
The carrier also cancelled domestic flights to and from the cities of Hamilton, Tauranga and Taupo.
Cyclone Gabrielle was already affecting the northern part of New Zealand on Sunday. On Monday, it was expected to dump up to 250 millimetres (10 inches) of rain on Auckland.
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Gabrielle’s wind speed was earlier downgraded as the cyclone slowed. Gusts of about 130 kilometres per hour (80 miles per hour) were expected.
Weather forecaster MetService said it was expecting a “widespread and significant” weather event, with heavy rain, strong winds and large waves.