A 67-year-old warhorse of the skies has stepped in to help volcanic ash-bound passengers desperate to get out of Christchurch, including the Crusaders rugby team.
The Southern DC3, which first flew for the US Air Force in 1944, is flying to Wellington and back, taking passengers wanting to make international connections, the head of aviation security and media, Southern DC3 trust chairman David Horsburgh told NZPA.
The 90-minute flight is due to arrive in Wellington at 2pm.
Mr Horsburgh said the DC3 was quickly flown up from Ashburton and 20 of 28 seats -- at $380 each -- had been sold.
It was remarkable that such an aged aircraft was performing the "Christchurch airlift", he said.
"The DC3 is designed to fly below 10,000ft so the ash cloud is not a problem," he told NZPA.
The DC3 would have a full load returning and would tomorrow bring the Crusaders rugby team to Wellington for Saturday's game against the Hurricanes.
Richie McCaw is the trust's patron and the Crusaders booked the aircraft this morning when they became concerned with possible delays.
