Farewell to Iconic Eagle Sculptures at Wellington Airport

After over ten years of welcoming visitors, the iconic eagle sculptures inspired by JRR Tolkien's works will be removed from the ceilings of Wellington Airport. This change will pave the way for a mystery exhibition, much to the bittersweet sentiment of the airport staff and fans of the franchise. These massive figures, crafted by Wētā Workshop, were first installed during the launch of The Hobbit trilogy in 2013. While the eagles are set to be stored with no specific future plans, the airport promises an exciting locally themed replacement will be revealed soon.

For over a decade, Wellington Airport has greeted visitors with a stunning pair of eagle sculptures inspired by Tolkien's universe. The statues will be removed to facilitate the installation of a new mystery exhibit, confirmed by airport authorities. Each eagle boasts a hefty weight of 1.2 tonnes and showcases details that resonate with fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series, famously adapted by Sir Peter Jackson. The sculptures, made from polystyrene and supported by a steel skeleton, feature hundreds of feathers, adding to their impressive presence. Despite their removal, the magical dragon Smaug will remain on display in the airport’s check-in area, providing some solace to franchise enthusiasts. Wellington Airport's chief executive, Matt Clarke, indicated that plans are already underway for a new thematic installation, set to be unveiled later this year. The eagles were a beloved part of the airport until one fell during an earthquake in 2014, fortunately without injuries. The transition marks both an end and a new beginning for the airport as it prepares to introduce fresh elements to welcome visitors.