Arabic version: تحويل مسار رحلة كانتاس إلى كرايستشيرش بعد مخاوف بشأن المحرك

According to The Guardian, Qantas flight QF122 made a priority landing in Christchurch after a suspected engine issue shortly after departing Queenstown for Sydney on Saturday afternoon. FlightAware data showed the Boeing 737 landed about 52 minutes after takeoff, shortly before 5pm local time.

Passenger Liza-Jayne Loch said a bang shook the cabin as the aircraft climbed above New Zealand’s South Island mountain ranges. She recalled a passenger near the left wing shouting, “the engine’s on fire”, while cabin lights flickered. Passenger footage shared with AAP showed flames appearing to come from the left engine in a series of rapid bursts.

Loch, who was seated on the left side of the plane, said the flames were “very, very visible” and that there was “a lot of screaming”. She said conditions stabilised after the initial shock, as cabin crew worked to comfort passengers. Both engines are thought to have remained in operation throughout the flight.

Emergency services were waiting on the tarmac in Christchurch. Passengers disembarked normally after a short wait, and Loch said there were “massive cheers” when the aircraft landed. Qantas said its pilots were highly trained to manage such situations and that the aircraft landed safely.

The cause has not been determined. Qantas sent two engineers to Christchurch on Sunday to investigate and said it would contact customers to provide support. Affected passengers stayed at a hotel near Christchurch International Airport before taking a complimentary flight to Sydney on Sunday.