Air New Zealand's boss is defending the decision to divert a Tokyo-bound flight to pick up a stranded trade delegation

The delegation was travelling with Prime Minister Chris Luxon when the Defence Force plane broke down.

While Luxon flew ahead, the delegation was eventually picked up in Brisbane by an Air New Zealand flight en route from Auckland - a two-hour diversion.

Chief Executive Greg Foran says not a single passenger was upset in the end despite being late.

He says it was a good decision to keep the delegation intact.