WELLINGTON- A fire at Wellington Airport (WLG) in New Zealand caused significant flight disruptions on Friday evening, forcing the evacuation of parts of the terminal and affecting at least 14 flights.
Airport officials confirmed that the incident began in a concealed section of the building, creating challenges for emergency responders and leading to a temporary suspension of operations.
The disruption impacted services operated by Air New Zealand (NZ), Qantas (QF), and Jetstar (JQ), with several flights diverted, delayed, or unable to depart.
Authorities later confirmed that all affected passengers were rebooked onto alternative flights departing on Saturday after airport operations gradually resumed overnight.
Fire Cause Confirmed
Wellington Airport Chief Executive Matt Clarke said the fire originated in the southwest section of the airport, primarily used for domestic departures.
According to investigators from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), the blaze began in electrical wiring located inside a wall cavity.
Clarke described the location as particularly difficult because the fire was hidden between floors and could not be seen from outside the building. While the full extent of the damage remains under assessment, early indications suggest the affected area was relatively contained.
Emergency services responded within minutes after smoke alarms activated at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time, RNZ reported.
Witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke emerging from parts of the terminal before airport authorities initiated a full evacuation of the southwest pier and sections of the main terminal.
Flight Operations Were Impacted for Hours
The fire resulted in a temporary halt to arrivals and departures at Wellington Airport for roughly four hours. During that period, multiple flights were delayed, diverted, or canceled as emergency crews worked to secure the area.
Airport operations began returning to normal shortly before midnight when arriving flights from Sydney, including services operated by Qantas and Air New Zealand, were cleared to land.
By Saturday morning, airport facilities had largely resumed regular activity, with restaurants, cafés, and passenger services operating normally.
Passengers were advised to contact their airlines directly for updated flight information.
Air New Zealand allowed affected travelers to change bookings without additional charges, while Jetstar reported only limited operational impacts, including a minor delay to one evening service.
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Passenger Response to the Wellington Fire
Several travelers praised airport and airline staff for their assistance during the disruption. Some passengers highlighted the efforts of employees who arranged accommodation, transportation, and rebooking support throughout the evening.
However, not all travelers shared the same experience.
Some described the evacuation process as confusing, citing communication challenges as large numbers of passengers were moved outside the terminal and prevented from re-entering the building.
Clarke acknowledged that the situation was difficult but emphasized that safety remained the airport’s highest priority.
Airport teams distributed blankets, refreshments, and updates while emergency responders managed the incident. He also credited airlines for quickly re-accommodating passengers and minimizing longer-term travel disruptions.
Investigators continued their examination of the affected area on Saturday as airport officials worked to determine the full extent of the damage and any required repairs.
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