National carrier Air New Zealand Ltd. (AIR.NZ) grounded its regional ATR fleet Sunday after hairline cracks were found around the cockpit window in one aircraft during routine overnight maintenance in Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island.

All 11 aircraft in Air New Zealand's ATR-500 fleet, operated by Mount Cook, will be inspected, Air New Zealand said in a statement. By late afternoon Sunday, two planes were back in service after meeting all operational standards. The final inspection is expected to be completed later in the day. Air New Zealand said up to 3,000 passengers might be affected and alternative travel arrangements are being put in place.

The aircraft have been in service with Mt Cook since 1999 and have an average age of 10.9 years. The 68-seaters serve 10 destinations around New Zealand.

-By Rebecca Howard, Dow Jones Newswires; +64-4-471-5990; rebecca.howard@dowjones.com

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