Wellington Airport is a busy hub with around 250 flights coming and going every day. Because planes need to take off and land in the wind, and Wellington’s runway is north-south, the wind plays a big part in flight directions. Most of the time, the wind blows from the north, so planes usually arrive from the south, landing in the wind, and then take off towards the north. But when the wind changes and blows from the south, everything flips, and planes do the opposite!

Due to prevailing northerly winds, 70% of arrivals into Wellington Airport come from the south, flying over the Cook Strait to avoid residential areas.

Currently, aircraft operating to and from Wellington Airport utilize ground-based navigation aids, including an Instrument Landing System (ILS), to ensure safe and precise approaches and departures.

Wellington Airport’s current flight paths vary with wind conditions. Northerly winds bring arrivals from the south, while southerly winds lead to approaches from the north. Shaded yellow areas indicate flexible visua

l flight paths used in good weather under air traffic control, while solid yellow lines depict established flight paths. The current ILS system is vulnerable to disruptions, whereas the satellite-based PBN offers greater resilience.

                                    Wellington Airport Vs Local Communities

A battle is brewing between Wellington Airport and the residents of its northern suburbs over a sig

nificant increase in aircraft noise. The source of the discontent is the Divergent Missed Approach Protection System (DMAPS), a safety measure implemented in December 2022 that has altered flight paths, directing more planes over Khandallah, Broadmeadows, and Johnsonville.

Local residents, united under the banner of Plane Sense, are not taking the disruption lying down. They have initiated legal action against Wellington Airport, Airways (New Zealand’s air navigation service provider), and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over the lack of community consultation and the negative impact the noise is having on their lives.

Plane Sense co-founder Roxy Steel voiced the community’s frustration, stating, “We feel betrayed by the airport’s disregard for our well-being. These changes were forced upon us without any say, and now we’re suffering the consequences.” The group points to sleep disturbances, health issues, and a general decline in quality of life as direct results of the increased aircraft noise.

Wellington Airport’s General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Jenna Raeburn, acknowledged the underestimated noise impact and proposed a public consultation to explore alternative flight path options. However, Plane Sense remains unconvinced, citing a lack of transparency and broken promises from the airport.

“The airport’s proposed consultation seems like a last-minute attempt to appease the community after the damage has already been done,” says Louisa Picker, another Plane Sense co-founder. “We demand real solutions that prioritize the well-being of the people living in the flight paths.”

Plane Sense’s legal action also highlights concerns about the rushed implementation of DMAPS, inadequate noise assessments, and non-compliance with Civil Aviation Rules, raising questions about the thoroughness and integrity of the decision-making process.

The upcoming public consultation will offer three options: adjusting the northern departure route, reverting to the pre-DMAPS flight path, or maintaining the current configuration. However, Plane Sense remains steadfast in its pursuit of legal action, seeking accountability and a resolution that prioritizes the well-being of the affected communities.

Our Take:

At Wellington Live, we stand in solidarity with the residents of the northern suburbs. While we acknowledge the importance of Wellington Airport for our city, we firmly believe that the well-being of our communities should not be compromised. We urge the airport authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue with Plane Sense and the affected residents, prioritizing their concerns and working collaboratively towards a solution that respects their right to a peaceful and healthy living environment.

Stay tuned to Wellington Live for continued coverage of this crucial issue impacting our community.