An Air New Zealand turboprop plane has been evacuated on the runway at Wellington Airport after smoke could be seen coming from one of its engines while landing.
The incident occurred as the plane landed just after 4pm.
An Air New Zealand spokesperson said the flight involved was NZ5366 travelling from Christchurch to Wellington. The cause of the incident is not yet known.
All passengers involved are safe and there have been no injuries reported.
A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency said there had been an “engine fire”.
A live stream of the airport’s runway showed the propeller plane landing with a large plume of smoke emanating from its left-hand engine.
Several emergency vehicles could then be seen racing towards the plane after it came to a stop on the runway.
About two minutes after the plane came to a stop, passengers could be seen exiting the aircraft on the runway without the use of stairs, while being assisted by first responders.
The Civil Aviation Authority told rnz.co.nz they were alerted at 4.10pm of the flight calling “mayday” due to an engine fire.
1News understands most passengers have now been rebooked on flights after the runway was closed today following the incident.
Earlier today, one traveller said: “My flight got cancelled. It was supposed to leave at [4.45pm] and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Others said they were waiting in a queue for an update and to “see if they can get through”.
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