Hobbit Sightings at New Zealand Airport

  • The second eagle in Wellington Airport.

    The second eagle in Wellington Airport.

  • Ground traffic controllers donning special gear for the event.

    Ground traffic controllers donning special gear for the event.

  • The Boeing 777-300 decked in Hobbit livery.

    The Boeing 777-300 decked in Hobbit livery.

  • Air New Zealand's Hobbit-inspired livery.

    Air New Zealand's Hobbit-inspired livery.

  • Gandalf flying high in Wellington International Airport.

    Gandalf flying high in Wellington International Airport.

  • The airport's existing Gollum installation.

    The airport's existing Gollum installation.

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Signs of Middle Earth have been spotted this week at New Zealand’s Wellington International Airport as two soaring eagles have joined an existing Gollum figure in the airport’s terminal. The installation coincides with the premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, which was filmed in New Zealand. The two eagle installations weigh approximately one ton with a wingspan of 15 feet, with one of the eagles carrying the wizard Gandalf on its back. Wellington’s Weta Workshop, which also lent its talents for the film’s props, designed and assembled the birds. Wellington Airport also serves as the incubation grounds for Air New Zealand’s Boeing 777-300 aircraft that dons Hobbit-inspired livery. The dragon Smaug appears on the aircraft and flew to Los Angeles for the December 2 premiere of the film.

For more information, visit Air New Zealand

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