ALERT A plane hitting runway lights and flooding are causing huge delays at Auckland International Airport

A plane landing at Auckland International Airport has hit and damaged several runway lights causing major delays.

A statement from the airport said the damage to the runway lights was “impacting” international departures and large domestic flights. There were a number of flights delayed and diverted on Friday afternoon and evening.

Auckland Airport has reduced runway operations after an arriving aircraft damaged runway lighting. This is largely impacting international arrivals and departures and larger aircraft travelling domestically.

Our maintenance team is on site and is working hard to fix the damage says the airport.

In a statement, Air New Zealand’s chief operational and safety officer David Morgan said the flight from Melbourne “made contact” with the runway lights.

He said the plane was able to taxi to the gate and passengers and crew disembarked “as normal”. ”In line with the airline’s standard operating procedures, we have alerted the Civil Aviation Authority.”

With this incident, part of Auckland Airport’s terminal is flooded as well as the car parking. Over 90mm of rain is expected.

Auckland Airport is asking passengers to not travel to the international terminal at this time.

Due to the damage, no domestic or international flights will be arriving or departing from Auckland Airport before noon Saturday, 28 January.