Blundering airlines allowed a thief to snatch $1.6 million worth of banknotes from a diplomatic locker left unguarded on the tarmac, it was alleged yesterday.
The cash went missing at Auckland airport after an Air New Zealand jet transported it from Hong Kong, the High Court was told.
A communications mix-up alerted an opportunist, most likely a ground worker, to the money's arrival, it was claimed.
He or she made off with the cash and was never caught.
Hang Seng Bank Limited and the Bank of New Zealand are suing Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand for the value of the banknotes, survey fees and damages arising from the theft nine years ago.
The thief found out the cash - NZ$300,000 in NZ$1 notes - was on its way after a telex was mistakenly sent to Air New Zealand's general staff office instead of its security office, barrister Clifford Smith, representing the banks, said.
The cargo clerk who received the message was said to have left work early for a medical appointment without notifying anyone.