Fire breaks out at Wellington Airport terminal; emergency evacuation and suspension of all flights.
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A fire broke out at Wellington Airport in New Zealand on the evening of June 12 local time. The main terminal and southwest concourse were immediately evacuated, and inbound and outbound flights were severely affected, with some flights diverted or delayed.
According to reports from New Zealand's Fire and Emergency Services and airport authorities, the fire was initially reported at approximately 7:15 pm local time. Firefighters and airport-based fire services responded to the scene. Significant smoke was visible, billowing from the airport terminal. Passengers were guided to evacuate, and police assisted with the evacuation of the airport buildings.
Wellington Airport stated that the fire occurred in the southwest area. After triggering smoke alarms, the southwest concourse and main terminal were completely evacuated. No injuries have been reported. The airport also advised passengers to check with their respective airlines for specific flight information and stated that it will continue to provide updates.
Following the fire, Wellington Airport was affected, with flights grounded for approximately four hours. Reuters, citing airport sources, reported that the fire caused some inbound flights to divert, disrupting both air and ground operations. Air New Zealand, the airport's largest carrier, also temporarily suspended flights to and from Wellington.
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union stated that firefighters from across Wellington participated in the Level 3 fire response and requested additional aerial ladder trucks to assist in extinguishing the blaze. Approximately nine fire engines were dispatched to the scene, and the fire was initially escalated, with the airport's sprinkler system also activated.
Airport officials stated that the fire has been extinguished, and there are no reports of injuries. Authorities will investigate the cause of the fire. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire originated in a "hard-to-access location," hidden in a gap in the wall between floors, making it difficult to detect from the outside and further complicating the response.
One passenger described the scene as "chaotic enough to make the news."
Airport officials informed passengers that baggage collection was temporarily unavailable due to the ongoing evacuation. Some passengers were told they would have to wait until the next day to return to the airport to retrieve their luggage, which had been left on the plane or already checked in. That evening, more than a hundred passengers waited outside the airport for news and tried to retrieve their luggage.
Photos from the scene show hundreds of passengers gathered on the tarmac awaiting further arrangements, temporarily unable to enter the terminal.
New Zealand MP Tim Costley, who was at the airport at the time, stated on social media: "Unable to disembark in Wellington, reportedly due to a fire in the terminal."