Hundreds of Auckland-bound passengers have found themselves in Palmerston North instead.

A Cathay Pacific Airbus A340, which left Hong Kong early this morning, has missed its approach into the City of Sails and headed instead for Ohakea Air Base.

It's believed a burst of foul weather hampered its landing.

An aviation source has told our newsroom it's likely the aircraft was low on fuel, as Ohakea is usually used as a last resort.

The aircraft will return to Auckland this afternoon.