Air New Zealand plane briefly grounded at Sydney Airport over ‘security incident’

An Air New Zealand flight was grounded at Sydney Airport on Saturday evening, reportedly due to an unknown safety threat.

Flight NZ-247 arrived from Wellington at about 5.40pm with tactical operations unit, paramedics and firefighters all called to the scene.

But within an hour, emergency services were all stood down and the airbus moved towards the terminal.

Emergency services are being stood down after a flight from New Zealand was grounded at Sydney Airport reportedly due to an unknown safety threat. Flight NZ-247 arrived from Wellington at about 5.30pm with tactical operations unit, paramedics and firefighters all called to the scene.
Emergency services are being stood down after a flight from New Zealand was grounded at Sydney Airport. (9News)

The flight, which was carrying 154 staff and passengers on board, was always scheduled to land in Sydney and there was no emergency landing situation.

After the plane was held on the tarmac, Air New Zealand confirmed they were aware of the possibility of a security threat.

“We are working with the local authorities and following standard protocols established for such incidents,” Captain David Morgan, the airline’s chief operational integrity and safety officer, said in a statement on Saturday night.

“The safety and security of all passengers and crew is our utmost priority.”

The police tactical operations unit, paramedics and firefighters were all called to the scene.
The police tactical operations unit, paramedics and firefighters were all called to the scene. (Supplied)

An Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokesperson said AFP members at Sydney Airport responded to an incident on board an aircraft that was en-route to the airport.

“Investigations are continuing,” the spokesperson said.

“There is no threat to the community.”

No other details were given.

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