13 passengers asked to get off plane due to excess baggage

A passenger on an New Zealand flight to Dunedin on Saturday said customers were told there was 1300 kilograms of extra luggage on a flight packed with students heading for university. Just before the flight was due to take off, passenger Michael Riddell said Air New Zealand official asked for thirteen volunteers to get off the plane to lighten the load or all the baggage would be left behind. He was heading south with his wife and daughter to drop her off at Otago University - but got off the flight when the call went out. Michael Riddell explained how things unfolded.