Auckland to Tauranga flight redirected after sky lanterns floated into airspace

NZ Herald

16 May, 2026 02:34 AMQuick Read

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Sky lanterns caused a Tauranga flight to redivert back to Auckland. Photo / 123rf

A late-night flight from Auckland bound to Tauranga was turned around after lanterns floating into the airspace sparked safety concerns.

Police were called to reports at 9pm yesterday of “floating lanterns” that were ending up in the flight path of incoming flight NZ5145.

Police told the Herald they were aware
of the incident.

“Police were called by Air Traffic Control around 9pm with a report that floating lanterns had been released from an unknown location in Tauranga, that were ending up in the flight path.

“Police responded to the area where the lanterns were thought to be coming from, however no one was seen and no further lanterns had been released.”