snaps

How common is it for a plane to have a lightening strike here. I'm wondering if this is an all too common excuse to cancel a flight when all seats are not taken. Then their obligations are ended. Just a thought.

Bo-Jangles

If in any doubt, the ensuing onslaught of quotes from Twitter and other social media pictures lazily displayed as 'news' articles on Stuff, or in the Herald should be able to confirm or deny that the said event had actually happened.

Air NZ flight lands safely in Auckland after being struck by lightning mid-air - National - NZ Herald News

snaps

I was thinking more about other so called lightening strikes that seem to happen on low passenger number flights and Air New Zealand are 'unable' to make an alternative plane available even after 24 hours, so saving the cost of providing hotels etc. By chance a later plane is available which can carry the passengers from the cancelled flight.

Charismatic

Very common occurrence. It is estimated that on average, each airplane in the U.S. commercial fleet is struck lightly by lightning more than once each year. Unlikely to cause diversions or delays in most cases.

simonsi

Never heard of it being used, the aircraft will need inspection so there maybe delays if a suitable engineer isn't available, if the aircraft needs repairs then it needs repairs but if you are worried about strikes being used as an excuse to avoid flying then I've never heard of it, I'd expect such an inspection to be carried out in the normal turnaround time of the aircraft.

Matelot

snaps, I'm not sure what happens in NZ regarding "tactical" cancelling of flights, I can't say it's been an issue with my employer (a major uk international airline). I would agree with sinonsi about lightning strike inspections being able to be carried out during normal turnround times but due to damage getting missed mainly on the crown and extremities of the airframe, inspections are now carried out in the hangar. This causes major delays and usually a "shuffle" in the allocation of aircraft/routes. It's been like that for a few years now, the hangar has more specialist equipment to reach the extreme areas in a safe manner. H & S is paramount these days!