Pipeline leak leaves thousands stranded at Auckland airport

Thousands of passengers were stranded in Auckland on Monday after a burst pipeline cut jet fuel supplies to New Zealand's largest airport.

The damaged pipeline is Auckland Airport's only source of jet fuel, reports the BBC.

Teams are working around the clock to fix the pipeline after damage from a digger caused it to burst on September 14, operator Refinery New Zealand said.

"The pipeline should return to service between September 24 and 26," it added.

According to Auckland Airport, which sees about 18 million passengers a year, oil companies are responsible for the transport and supply of fuel used by airlines, and that supply has been reduced.

Air New Zealand said fuel supplies at the airport were down to 30 per cent of normal capacity, forcing some long-haul flights to make additional refuelling stops at airports in Australia and the Pacific, the BBC reported.

The carrier said about 2,000 passengers were affected by cancellations on Monday.

As well as Air New Zealand, Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Emirates said that some flights had been affected by the fuel shortage.

At least 27 international and domestic flights were cancelled over the weekend.