Regional Gates Wellington Wind Resilience
Jun 1, 2022, 5:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: WLG
Programs: NZ*GE
Posts: 40
Regional Gates Wellington Wind Resilience
Recently got stuck overnight in Nelson after the captain announced on board that there were no gates available in Wellington.
I believe when the northerly is blowing it looks like they have to park the Q300s into the wind. This results in them parallel with the linkspan and taking up 2-3 spots as opposed to nosing into the gates directly.
This seems like a pretty massive flaw with the current setup in Wellington. Do any other airports have this problem? Would love if anyone have any insight into this.
I believe when the northerly is blowing it looks like they have to park the Q300s into the wind. This results in them parallel with the linkspan and taking up 2-3 spots as opposed to nosing into the gates directly.
This seems like a pretty massive flaw with the current setup in Wellington. Do any other airports have this problem? Would love if anyone have any insight into this.
Jun 1, 2022, 11:23 am
#2
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
There is at least 12 gates for NZ's ATR & Q300 at WLG. Not often there'd be more than 6 on the ground at once.
In bad weather they may cancel some or all regional flights.
In bad weather they may cancel some or all regional flights.
Jun 1, 2022, 2:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
It's not just turboprops it's not an airport design flaw per se, it's simply the fact the weather can get pretty crap. A320's have major issues as well when it's windy and face restrictions opening the cargo doors.
Jun 1, 2022, 6:27 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,195
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/...from-airbridge
https://www.traveller.com.au/strong-...ar-plane-1dvqg
Jun 1, 2022, 11:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hokitika, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand
Posts: 144
I just put it down to Regional flying in NZ, in Winter. All fun and games!
Air NZ handled it well, and I was having dinner at the Hotel within 45mins of landing. Back in WLG by 8am the next morning.
Jun 2, 2022, 6:55 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hokitika, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand
Posts: 144
Airline were awesome for me personally. A CSA had everything organized for me when I got to the counter. Actually felt like there was a little bit of the Air NZ Care and a bit of the magic of years long gone... Thinking I probably just got lucky
Jun 2, 2022, 7:39 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: WLG
Programs: NZ*GE
Posts: 40
We certainly didn't get the royal treatment - told we could try go up to Auckland and come into Wellington on a jet and were warned we could get stuck up there! We were on a work trip so didn't push for a hotel. My one question regarding the gates was does anyone know what the wind threshold is when they can't park into the gate and have to face into the wind?
Jun 6, 2022, 3:48 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 8
We certainly didn't get the royal treatment - told we could try go up to Auckland and come into Wellington on a jet and were warned we could get stuck up there! We were on a work trip so didn't push for a hotel. My one question regarding the gates was does anyone know what the wind threshold is when they can't park into the gate and have to face into the wind?