Barefoot children delay NZ flight

An Air New Zealand pilot has delayed a flight, because two young children on the flight had bare feet.

Our New Zealand correspondent, Gillian Bradford, says the plane eventually took off from Christchurch airport nearly an hour late.

The flight to the capital, Wellington, had more than 100 people on board.

The Captain told passengers over the plane intercom the delay was because two young children were not wearing shoes.

The plane sat on the tarmac as baggage handlers started a fruitless search for the family's bags.

The captain eventually agreed to take off when the children's parents found socks for them to wear.

Air New Zealand has defended the delay saying other customers expect a reasonable standard of dress - and wearing footwear is a safety requirement.

01/09/2004 17:24:54 | ABC Radio Australia News