Fire breaks out at Wellington Airport sending smoke over runway
Chaotic scenes have erupted at Wellington Airport after a fire broke out in the domestic terminal.
Hundreds of people have been left stranded after they were evacuated as emergency services continue to battle the blaze.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand confirmed the airport blaze, first reported at 7.15pm, has been upgraded to a third alarm.
A spokesperson said eight fire engines, two ladder trucks, one command unit and one breathing apparatus were attending after reports machinery was on fire.
Videos shared with the Herald show smoke billowing from the airport terminal and across the runway.
A Wellington Airport spokesperson said the southwest pier and main terminal building at Wellington Airport have been evacuated “following the triggering of a smoke alarm”.
No one has been reported injured, and emergency services including the Airport Fire Service are on site, they said.
“Flights into Wellington have been temporarily diverted, and passengers are advised to check with their airlines for information on specific flights,” the spokesperson said.
Hundreds stranded on tarmac
Multiple flights have been impacted, with some travellers reporting they were stuck on their planes unable to disembark.
“It’s a newsworthy shambles here,” one person said.
Outside the terminal, ground staff announced that passengers would not be able to retrieve any luggage.
Passengers were told to come back tomorrow to collect any luggage that had been checked or left on a plane when the evacuations took place, RNZ reported.
One traveller shared a picture showing hundreds of passengers standing on the tarmac. It appears they are unable to enter the terminal.
National Party MP Tim Costley has posted to his social media from the airport as emergency services attended to the blaze.
“Can’t get off plane in Wellington. Apparently fire in terminal,” he wrote.
In an update to the unfolding situation, Costley posted on Instagram, stating the firefighters were “attacking the fire from above”.
Another person who landed after a flight from Hamilton told the Herald the plane’s captain told them it was unknown how long they would be stuck there.
Amanda Williamson, who landed shortly after the fire broke out, told the Herald she noticed the smoke as soon as she landed.
“I can see quite a few fire trucks now. You can smell something in the air, it doesn’t seem to be too big or out of control,” she said.
“There is an active fire crew just pulling their hoses out.”
She said a message on the loudspeaker said: “This area is on hold but you are safe, no action needed.”
“No information was given, staff were advising people it’s just a toaster or something. It is looking like it’s a lot more than that.”
Major flight disruptions
Two flights have made U-turns and have been rerouted seemingly to avoid landing at Wellington Airport, according to flightradar24.
One Wellington-bound flight was from Auckland and another from Christchurch.
Air New Zealand chief operations officer - ground and inflight, Kate Boyer, said Air New Zealand flights in and out of Wellington are currently being held until further notice.
Boyer advised customers travelling this evening to check the Air New Zealand app for the latest information on their flight.
“Flexibility has been added for customers booked to travel on flights in and out of Wellington this evening, giving them the ability to change their flights free of charge to another time that suits them,” she said.
Boyer said the safety of customers and the team is their first priority.
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