Airliner stuck in mud at Christchurch Airport

An Air New Zealand plane is stuck in soft ground at Christchurch Airport after leaving the edge of the taxiway.

Flight NZ582 was preparing to depart to Auckland on Sunday morning when, during pushback, the aircraft's main wheels came into contact with the grass beside the taxiway, said Air NZ chief safety and risk officer, Nathan McGraw.

All passengers disembarked safely and the airline is organising a new flight to Auckland for them.

Staff are working to get the aircraft to the gate, McGraw said, so bags can be unloaded and an engineering assessment carried out.

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