The 1815m by 45m runway (http://www.aip.net.nz/pdf/NZWN_51.1_51.2.pdf) at Wellington has been tested by Boeing 777-300 aircraft before with Air New Zealand operating the type on promotional visits however the arrival of this ANA aircraft marks the first time the type has carried commercial/charter passengers into this "tight fit" airport for an aircraft of its size both in terms of runway dimensions and parking constraints.
Link to media site with video coverage : http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/9836024/A-Boeing-777-lands-in-the-capital
Link to some great Flickr shots : http://www.flickr.com/photos/111emergency/sets/72157642454517505
Our records show this to be the first Japanese commercial passenger aircraft to visit New Zealand since 2007. During November of that year Japan Airlines conducted a series of charter flights utilising Boeing 747-400 aircraft with the last flight being flown by JA8910 on 29 November visiting Auckland, arriving from Fukuoka as JAL8777 and departing back to Fukuoka as JAL8860.
Any correction to this record are welcomed to email address displayed in the blog's header photo.
The most recent visit by a Japanese based aircraft to New Zealand was by a JASDF Boeing 747-400,
02-1101, in February/March 2011. It arrived at Christchurch from Narita on the 24th as JAF701 and continued onto Auckland the same day. On 02 March 2011 it made a return trip from Auckland to Christchurch and back and departed for Narita 03 March.
