By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Air New Zealand A320 Diverts To Christchurch After Suffering a Lightning Strike
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Air New Zealand A320 Diverts To Christchurch After Suffering a Lightning Strike

Air New Zealand A320 Diverts To Christchurch After Suffering a Lightning Strike

Sharad Ranabhat
Last updated: 11 August 2020 12:09
By Sharad Ranabhat 2 Min Read
Share
Air New Zealand A320 suffered lightening strike shortly after take off.
SHARE

An Air New Zealand Airbus A320 suffered a lightning strike shortly after takeoff from Auckland. The aircraft was then diverted to Christchurch.

Summary
Aircraft InformationLightning StrikeHave you ever experienced a lightning strike while in the air? Feel free to share with us!
Air New Zealand A320 suffered lightning strike shortly after take off | Biponacci via Wikimedia Commons

The Airbus A320 was operating flight NZ615 from Auckland to Queenstown when it suffered lightening strike. The incident occurred at around 9:30 local time (21:30 UTC) on 8th August.

There were 141 passengers on board the aircraft. After the diversion, the passengers were transferred to another flight. Their flight was delayed by 75 minutes. They arrived Christchurch at 12:30 pm local time.

Regarding the incident, the airline said:

“Flight NZ615 Auckland to Queenstown on Saturday was diverted to Christchurch after lightning struck. Lightning strikes are not uncommon. Aircraft are designed with this in mind and our pilots train for this scenario.”

Aircraft Information

The Airbus A320-200, operating flight NZ615 was delivered to the airline back in September, 2015 and is currently 5.1 years old.

The flight NZ615 bound to Queenstown was continued by another Airbus A320-200 with registration ZX-OXD, which was delivered to the airline back in February, 2014.

Passengers were transferred to another flight | (C) Airbus

Engineers in Christchurch assessed the aircraft for damage. After the check, the aircraft operated flight NZ540 from Christchurch bound to Auckland the following day.

Lightning Strike

Lightning strikes are much more common than you may think in commercial aviation. All the aircraft are designed with this in mind. The pilots are also trained for such situations.

Mostly, lightning strikes happen when the aircraft is in the clouds. According to reports, a commercial aircraft is most likely to be struck by lightning during takeoff and landing between the altitude of 5,000 to 15,000 feet.

Have you ever experienced a lightning strike while in the air? Feel free to share with us!

You Might Also Like

RwandAir Expands Fleet, Welcomes Two New Boeing 737-800s

Delta Agrees to Pay $78.75 million Settlement for Fuel Dump Lawsuit

airBaltic Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Qantas Orders 20 New A321XLR Aircraft

Philadelphia International Airport Installs new Safety Feature on Runway to Stop Overrun Aircraft

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Previous Article BREAKING: Jet2 Engine Loss over Manchester – Presumed Faulty Compressor
Next Article Ernest Airlines announce plans to resume operations
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

JetBlue aircraft
JetBlue and Condor Expand Partnership to Boost Loyalty Benefits
Airlines Points & Loyalty Travel
Cochin International Airport Terminal
Kerala Aviation Summit 2025: Focus on Infrastructure and Flight Connectivity
Airports Airshow & Events Aviation
Finnair Airbus A330-300 on the runway at Heathrow airport
Finnair Launches New Mediterranean Routes
Airlines Aviation Route Development Travel
Southwest adds new routes
Southwest Airlines adds New Routes, announces Partnership with EVA air
Airlines Airports Aviation Route Development Travel
Menzies Aviation completes acquisition of G2
Menzies Aviation Completes US$305 Million Acquisition of G2
Aviation Careers Route Development
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?