Published on
October 24, 2025
Traveling across Australia and New Zealand can be an exciting and enriching experience, but in 2025, both countries experienced significant travel disruptions. From severe weather events and aviation incidents to geopolitical tensions, these disruptions caused significant challenges for both travelers and locals alike. In this article, we will explore the major travel disruptions that occurred between January and October 2025 in Australia and New Zealand, providing a detailed look at the factors that impacted transportation across these regions.
Severe Weather Events
Both Australia and New Zealand have long been prone to natural disasters, and in 2025, extreme weather was a recurring cause of travel disruptions. From floods to tornadoes and power outages, weather-related challenges affected various parts of these countries. Let’s delve deeper into the most impactful weather events that caused travel chaos.
May 2025 – Powerful Storm in New Zealand
Between April 30 and May 2, New Zealand faced a severe storm system that severely impacted the country’s transportation infrastructure. This storm, which was classified as one of the strongest of the year, led to flight cancellations, ferry disruptions, and major power outages. The Wellington region was particularly hard-hit, with nearly 8,000 homes losing electricity due to fallen power lines. The storm’s heavy rainfall and strong winds, which reached speeds of 150 km/h, caused widespread flooding in the Canterbury and Wellington areas, making travel extremely dangerous. The New Zealand government declared a state of emergency in these regions, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. Roads were blocked, ferries were canceled, and many domestic flights were delayed or canceled.
The storm’s impacts also affected the tourism sector, with many tourists stranded in major cities and unable to travel to their planned destinations. In addition, the storm led to supply chain disruptions, as roads became impassable, affecting delivery of goods across the country. The Wellington and Christchurch airports faced significant delays due to the storm, which lasted for several days.
June 2025 – Winter Floods in New Zealand
New Zealand was once again struck by extreme weather conditions in June 2025, as the country experienced severe winter floods. Between June 25 and July 12, heavy rainfall caused significant flooding in the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough districts on the South Island. The Wairau River rose to dangerous levels, forcing local authorities to issue evacuations and declare a state of emergency in the Marlborough region.
The flooding not only caused road closures but also led to the disruption of 38 flights at Auckland Airport on June 27, as the inclement weather made it unsafe for aircraft to operate. The situation worsened with widespread landslides and riverbank erosion, preventing the restoration of transportation networks. The floodwaters caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, with hundreds of people being displaced.
Additionally, the storm’s aftermath included the destruction of vital roads and rail tracks, further hampering recovery efforts. For tourists, the floods meant canceled tours, disrupted itineraries, and travel restrictions across affected areas.
October 2025 – Violent Storm and Strikes in New Zealand
In October 2025, New Zealand was once again hit by a powerful storm system, which triggered violent winds, heavy rainfall, and further travel disruptions. On October 23, wind gusts reached speeds of up to 230 km/h, causing extensive damage to infrastructure across the country. The storm led to over 200 flight cancellations, particularly affecting major airports such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Power outages affected tens of thousands of homes, and authorities warned of further disruptions in the coming days.
To add to the chaos, New Zealand also experienced a nationwide strike on October 23, with more than 100,000 workers in the healthcare and education sectors taking to the streets to protest. The strikes disrupted public transportation and essential services, with many buses and trains running on limited schedules. Travelers trying to move around the country faced additional challenges, as public transport networks were temporarily halted, and taxi services were overwhelmed.
These weather events in New Zealand were compounded by the political unrest caused by the labor strike, creating a double impact on travelers in the country.
Aviation Disruptions
In addition to weather-related disruptions, aviation in both Australia and New Zealand was significantly affected by several high-profile incidents and technical issues. Here are some key aviation-related disruptions that took place during 2025.
February 2025 – Chinese Military Drills
On February 21, commercial flights between Australia and New Zealand were diverted due to the activities of the Chinese military. The Chinese warships conducted a live-fire exercise in the Tasman Sea, prompting airlines like Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates, and Air New Zealand to reroute their flights to avoid the area.
This military drill posed a significant risk to aviation in the region, as aircraft were instructed to adjust their flight pathsto ensure safety. The exercise was conducted at a height of up to 50,000 feet, causing disruptions to international flightstraveling between Australia and New Zealand. Although no accidents occurred, the unexpected disruption created considerable uncertainty for travelers.
Airlines were forced to delay or reschedule flights as pilots and air traffic controllers worked to reroute traffic, causing significant delays in both domestic and international air travel.
August 2025 – Air Traffic Control Power Outage
On August 16, New Zealand’s air traffic control system experienced a power outage, leading to delays and flight cancellations across the country. Auckland Airport was particularly impacted, with domestic and international flightsexperiencing significant disruptions.
The outage lasted for several hours, causing flights to be grounded until the systems were restored. During this period, hundreds of travelers were stranded at the airport as airlines worked to rebook passengers on available flights. While the situation was eventually resolved, it served as a reminder of the importance of air traffic control infrastructure in ensuring the smooth operation of air travel.
Other Notable Disruptions
Apart from weather-related issues and aviation incidents, several other disruptions affected travel in Australia and New Zealand throughout 2025.
June 2025 – Internet and Radio Service Interference
In June 2025, a navigation radar malfunction aboard the Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra caused significant disruptions to internet and radio services in New Zealand. The ship’s radar inadvertently interfered with wireless internet and radio frequencies across parts of both the North and South Islands, resulting in service outages for several days.
As a result, many internet providers in New Zealand experienced interruptions in service, affecting both locals and tourists who were relying on Wi-Fi for navigation and communication. The disruption also impacted radio stations, making it difficult for people to access information during the ongoing floods and storms. The Australian Navy later issued an apology and resolved the issue by changing radar frequencies, but the incident highlighted the vulnerability of modern technology to unforeseen disruptions.
March 2025 – Sydney Harbour Bridge Protest
On March 1, a large-scale protest took place on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia, causing significant traffic disruptions. The protest was organized to voice concerns about climate change and government policies, and it led to the closure of the Harbour Bridge for several hours. During this time, public transportation services, including busesand trains, were also halted, leading to chaos in Sydney’s transportation system.
The protest caused delays for both locals and tourists trying to navigate the city, with many flights arriving at Sydney Airport delayed as passengers struggled to make their way to the airport due to blocked roads. In addition, many tourists found it difficult to access popular attractions around the Sydney Harbour as a result of the protest.
