Wellington International Airport (NZWN)
Large airport · Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand
Airport data
| Name | Wellington International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | NZWN |
| IATA | WLG |
| Elevation | 41 ft (12 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 41°19'37" E 174°48'25" -41.32684, 174.80686 |
| Location | Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/34 | 6,352 ft (1936 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Wellington International Airport at a glance
Wellington International Airport is a large airport in Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand, known to airline systems as WLG. The field elevation of 41 ft (12 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at NZWN are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 16/34, offers 6,352 ft (1936 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 16 points roughly 160° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for NZWN shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Wellington International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Paraparaumu Airport | NZPP | 49 km (26 NM) |
| Hood Airport | NZMS | 80 km (43 NM) |
| Woodbourne Airport | NZWB | 81 km (44 NM) |
| Palmerston North Airport | NZPM | 131 km (71 NM) |
| Nelson Airport | NZNS | 132 km (71 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Wellington International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 41 ft field elevation of Wellington International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 39 airports and airfields we list for New Zealand — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Wellington International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Wellington International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Wellington International Airport is NZWN, and its IATA code is WLG. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Wellington International Airport above sea level?
Wellington International Airport sits at an elevation of 41 feet (12 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Wellington International Airport located?
The airport lies at -41.3268, 174.8069 — in Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Paraparaumu Airport, about 49 km away.
Does NZWN publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for NZWN appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Wellington International Airport?
Wellington International Airport has one runway. The longest, 16/34, measures 6,352 ft (1936 m) with a ASP surface.