Wellington Airport recovers from busiest-ever day

An Air New Zealand Boeing 737 landing at Wellington Airport. Yesterday was the busiest-ever day at the Airoprt. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wellington Airport is recovering from its busiest day ever.

As the capital's Rugby World Cup 2011 hosting duties come to an end, teams and fans left town in droves yesterday.

Three times the normal number of international passengers went through the airport, and domestic flights were 100 per cent loaded.

Acting CEO John Howarth says their pre-planning with airlines, government agencies, and Rugby World Cup 2011 officials paid off.

"The day went very well, very busy throughout the entire day but we got through the day without any significant issues, the people that I interacted with were happy and in a very good mood," he says.

"The airport community responded and collaboratively worked together to make it a successful day for Wellington," he says.

Mr Howarth says there was still a carnival atmosphere that had come over from the weekend and people were still very much enjoying it.

He says The Rock, the airport's new international terminal, passed its first big test with flying colours.