Gandalf statue to be removed from airport after 12 years there

For over a decade, travellers at Wellington Airport have been greeted by a fantastical sight: two colossal eagles, straight out of the Lord Of The Rings, suspended from the terminal ceiling.

One even carries the iconic wizard Gandalf, adding to the magical atmosphere.

These impressive sculptures, with wingspans reaching 50 feet and weighing in at over a ton each, have become a beloved fixture since their installation in 2013. While they’ve delighted countless tourists, they’ve also been known to startle a few children with their imposing presence.

“It’s been quite a Lord of the Rings-heavy storytelling theme in here,” said airport chief executive Matt Clarke. “Now we’re looking to change that to something new.”

LOTR Fan

“It breaks my heart,” said one traveler, Verity Johnson, who sat beneath a grasping eagle claw in the food court on Monday. The sculptures had impressed her since she was young. “Please, please reconsider.”