Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) has filed a lawsuit against BP and Z Energy, two fuel distributors, over a fuel pipeline rupture in 2017 which caused major disruption to the carrier as fuel deliveries to Auckland International were interrupted, The New Zealand Herald has reported.

While the total amount of the compensation sought by Air New Zealand has not been revealed, Z Energy has disclosed it has been sued for NZD4 million dollars (USD2.8 million). The total losses to Refining NZ, the owner of the pipeline, have been estimated at NZD8 million.

The damage, which disturbed fuel deliveries for 10 days, was particularly burdensome to airlines as Auckland airport gets most of its fuel via the pipeline. The 168-kilometre-long underground pipe connects New Zealand's only oil refinery in Marsden Point, owned and operated by Refining NZ, and Auckland.

Both BP and Z Energy are significant shareholders in Refining NZ.

None of the parties involved has commented on the matter due to the ongoing court proceedings.

During the interruption, Air New Zealand and other carriers serving Auckland had to cancel or reroute their operations in order to take fuel at other airports.