WELLINGTON – It was supposed to be a simple trip: a quick flight from Wellington to Christchurch for a day of business or perhaps a spot of sightseeing. But as any Kiwi traveller knows, things don’t always go as planned. Yesterday, Wednesday, 26 March 2025, I set off on what turned into an infrastructure story for the ages – a tale of fog, delays, and an unexpected round trip back to where I started. Here’s how it all went down, and why I’m giving a big shoutout to Jetstar and Wellington Airport for keeping things together.

The adventure kicked off the night before, and I was already feeling pretty chuffed. My wonderful daughter had booked my flights, scoring me the best seat on the plane – 1A, right up front with all the legroom you could want. I felt like a bit of a VIP before I even left the house. On the morning of the flight, my daughter’s lovely friends drove me to Wellington Airport, door to door. No faffing about with parking or catching a bus – just a smooth ride straight to the terminal. So far, everything was going my way.

At the airport, I checked in without a hitch, but security threw a few curveballs. I’d packed a torch, one of those fancy ones worth $79, but it was over 200mm long, so they took it off me. “You’ll never see it again,” the officer said with a shrug. I was gutted, but rules are rules. Then they found a lighter in my bag – another no-go – and that got confiscated too. To top it off, I had a coffee in hand, but liquids aren’t allowed through security. I had to toss it in the bin, watching my morning caffeine hit disappear. It wasn’t the best start, but I figured I’d get over it once I was in the air.

The flight took off under a stunning blue sky, and Wellington looked like a postcard from above – the harbour glittering, the hills a vibrant green. I settled into seat 1A, ready for a quick and easy trip to Christchurch. The forecast for CHCH was just as promising: clear blue skies all the way. But as we got closer, the pilot’s voice came over the intercom with some bad news. Fog had rolled into Christchurch Airport, thick and unyielding, and we couldn’t land. After circling for a while, the call was made: we were heading back to “Wellywood.” That’s right – my flight from Wellington to Christchurch was turning into a round trip back to Wellington.

We touched down back at Wellington Airport, and all the passengers disembarked. There were a few grumbles and sighs, but most of us were just glad to be on the ground. To soften the blow, Jetstar handed out coffee and a muffin to everyone – a small gesture, but it meant a lot. I sat in the terminal, sipping my replacement coffee and nibbling on a blueberry muffin, keeping an eye on the screens for updates. Christchurch was still socked in with fog, and we’d have to wait it out. A couple of hours later, the fog began to lift, and the call came to reboard. Back through security we went – thankfully, I had nothing left for them to take this time – and we got back on the plane. The flight took off again, and this time, we made it to Christchurch, landing four hours later than planned.

But the saga wasn’t quite over. When we arrived, the plane was noticeably emptier. Several passengers had decided not to carry on to CHCH after the delay, choosing to stay in Wellington instead. That left the ground crew with a task: they had to go through the luggage in the hold to find the bags of those who’d stayed behind, so they could get their stuff back. It was a bit of a hassle, but the crew handled it like champs.

Reflecting on the day, what could’ve been a total disaster turned out to be a lesson in keeping things together. Jetstar and Wellington Airport staff were absolutely smooth and professional throughout – calm, reassuring, and on top of everything. From the pilot’s clear updates to the ground crew sorting out the luggage, everyone did their bit. Even the coffee and muffin felt like a little “we’ve got you” moment. For an infrastructure story that could’ve gone pear-shaped, this one stayed on track – well, sort of.

Fog’s no stranger to New Zealand airports, especially in Christchurch. It’s a known issue this time of year, with the city’s flat landscape and cooler mornings often whipping up thick fog that grounds flights. Just last year, in June 2024, hundreds of travellers were stuck at CHCH Airport when fog caused chaos for hours. It’s a reminder of how weather can throw a spanner in the works, no matter how well you plan. But yesterday’s experience showed that when the system works, it really works.

For me, the day was a bit of a whirlwind. Losing my torch and lighter at security was a blow, and having to bin my coffee didn’t help. The delay was frustrating, and flying back to Wellington felt like a cruel twist of fate. But there were bright spots. My daughter’s booking of seat 1A made the flights themselves a treat, and her friends’ door-to-door service was a godsend. The blue skies on takeoff were a sight to behold, even if the fog in CHCH had other plans.

In the end, I made it to Christchurch, albeit four hours late. The city was still under that beautiful blue sky, just with a bit of haze hanging around from the fog. I got on with my day, but the experience stuck with me. It’s not every day you fly from WLG to WLG just to get to CHCH. I’ve got to give credit where it’s due – Jetstar and Wellington Airport turned a potential nightmare into something manageable. WELLington done, indeed.

This little adventure also got me thinking about how we handle the unexpected here in Wellington. We’re a resilient bunch, used to rolling with the punches – whether it’s a windy day cancelling ferries or a flight getting turned around by fog. It’s part of life in the capital, and yesterday was a classic example. I learned a few lessons along the way: don’t pack a torch over 200mm, always finish your coffee before security, and maybe check the weather in CHCH before you fly. For anyone else flying out of WLG, my advice is simple – be ready for anything. The weather can change in a heartbeat, and plans can shift just as fast. But if yesterday’s anything to go by, you can trust Jetstar and Wellington Airport to have your back. They kept things calm and professional, and that’s more than you can ask for on a day like that.

So, next time you’re heading to the airport, maybe pack a bit of patience – and leave the torch at home. This is One Network Wellington Live, bringing you the latest from the heart of the capital – and sometimes, a detour or two. Stay tuned for more stories, because in Wellington, there’s always something to share.