Overview
- A fire alarm at about 7:15pm on Friday triggered a rapid FENZ response that was escalated to a second alarm after crews found a piece of machinery on fire and building sprinklers activated.
- Nine fire trucks, the Wellington Fire Brigade and the airport fire brigade attended and contained the blaze in a void between floors in the southwest pier area.
- Airport staff evacuated the southwest pier and main terminal and held flights for about four hours, with the first post-incident arrivals landing around midnight.
- Passengers described the evacuation as disorganised, more than 100 people waited outside hours later seeking luggage and information, and airlines offered free rebooking while airport staff provided food, blankets and updates.
- Wellington Airport says it will reopen the next morning with possible flow-on disruptions and FENZ has started a formal investigation into the cause, which could affect baggage access and some flight schedules in the short term.