“New Zealand is aware of the Russian notice to aircrew and mariners of a planned missile launch and associated potential hazard to international airspace southeast of New Zealand.
The US Air Force C-17 Globemaster pictured soon after take-off from Christchurch Airport on Tuesday. Photo / Graham Sutherland
“However, details of the Russian notice are currently unclear and we are seeking further information.”
Yesterday’s turnaround came as the annual WINFLY, or Winter Flight Period, gets underway between Christchurch and Antarctica.
Turnarounds on the long flight to Antarctica are not particularly rare and are known as “boomerangs”.
In 2023, Antarctica New Zealand said a 43-person Scott Base crew twice “boomeranged” back to Christchurch before successfully reaching Antarctica on its third attempt.
It described such turnarounds as a “rite of passage” for Antarctic crews.