Qantas Sydney–Auckland flight issues mayday after cargo hold fire

A Qantas flight from Sydney to Auckland issued an urgent mayday after reports of a fire in the cargo hold. The trans-Tasman flight QFA141 left Sydney on Friday morning and landed in Auckland around 11:47 a.m. local time, with 156 passengers on board.

Emergency crews were on standby on the tarmac as the aircraft arrived, with 16 firetrucks and ambulances positioned near the gate. A Qantas spokesperson said the mayday call was issued because of intermittent flashing of the cargo hold fire indicator.

The aircraft touched down safely in Auckland, and there were no injuries reported among passengers or crew. The airline did not indicate any need for medical attention or for immediate diversions, and operations aboard the plane continued after the landing.

Details about what caused the cargo hold indicator to flash were not disclosed. Transport safety authorities typically review cargo hold fire systems following such events, and Qantas said it would cooperate with any investigation. No further information was provided about the status of the cargo or the flight crew.

The incident underscores the precautionary measures in place on trans-Tasman routes, where crews are trained to respond to potential in-flight fires with rapid landing and emergency services readiness. A spokesperson for the airline emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew remained the priority, and thanked ground crews for their prompt response.