Armed drama at airport

Armed police stormed a plane waiting to take off from Wellington Airport on Friday night and arrested a "dangerous" man on firearms and drugs charges.

A witness said officers armed with a Taser arrived at Gate 15 about 8.10pm and ordered passengers from the Air New Zealand plane.

She heard an officer ask if the tarmac could be cleared too because police "don't want anyone out there when this goes down. We don't know where he's going to go".

Police led the man from the plane and marched him past about 100 travellers.

The witness said he appeared distressed by his audience and one officer said "don't worry about them" as they led him away.

Wellington Police said the 38-year-old had been wanted since February 22 and was linked to firearms-related offences this week.

The flight got away at 8.50pm. The man will appear in Wellington District Court tomorrow.