This airport is famous for its incredible cross wind landings. Major improvements to the runway (mainly its run-offs at each end) has taken this airport off the IPA blacklist for now, but there is still work to do. Extensions into Lyall Bay would require massive engineering and Wellington Airport Co would need a commitment from airlines to make the project worth while. The international terminal is about to be rebuilt in a new copper sheaved rock shaped structure, whilst making it capable for near future trans pacific flights. As mentioned already, international destinations are limited to the east coast of Australia and occasionally Fiji. Although quite capable of handling B767 aircraft (as it has done in the past), both QANTAS, Pacific Blue and Air NZ now prefer B737-800s and A320s respectively on more intensive scheduled services. QANTAS operated the 747SP in the early 80's before the 767 era, quite a sight to behold! For a young lad anyway. Only on one occasion has a standard B747-200 landed with passengers at Wellington, a United flight from LA in the early 90's. Unable to depart safely with them, the passengers were off loaded and the plane returned to Auckland empty. Air New Zealand does allow an occasional near empty B747-400 to visit, for promotional events.

Wellington is mainly a domestic hub, however it has three main routes to Australia, to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. There are also some seasonal routes to Pacific islands. Military flights and General (light) aviation operate from the western apron. Passenger terminals and freight facilities are on the eastern apron. The airport enjoys a quite modern and attractive common user terminal however Air New Zealand dominates the facilities. Qantas is the next major user, followed by budget airlines Freedom Air and Pacific Blue.