Airports / New Zealand / WAG
Wanganui Airport.
Wanganui, New Zealand · 27 ft elevation. 1 charter operator based here.
NZWU
IATA WAG
1
Operators based
27
Elevation ft
Based operators
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
22 nm
To the nearest alternate
RNZAF Base Ohakea (OHA), 2 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Located in Wanganui, New Zealand, Wanganui Airport (NZWU / WAG) operates as a mid-sized airport. The airport sits 27 feet above sea level. Alongside scheduled airline service, the airport handles a steady flow of private and charter traffic.
The airport anchors local charter capacity, Air Wanganui Commuter Ltd is based here. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are RNZAF Base Ohakea (OHA, 22 nm), Palmerston North Airport (PMR, 35 nm), and Paraparaumu Airport (PPQ, 57 nm). With 5 runways, the longest 4,521-foot paved runway, WAG can typically accommodate aircraft as large as midsize jets.
Charter pricing from WAG depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Wanganui.
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Field capability
ICAO
NZWU
IATA
WAG
FAA / Local
NZWU
Elevation
27 ft
Coordinates
39.9635° S · 175.0244° E
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Medium
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs New Zealand fields
state range 4–2,153 ft
At 27 ft, WAG sits lower than 71% of the 38 New Zealand fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
5 runways
longest 4,521 ft
- 11C/29C4,521 ft × 148 ftAsphaltLighted
- 14/322,959 ft × 197 ftTreatedUnlit
- 08/262,877 ft × 197 ftTreatedUnlit
- 11R/29L2,756 ft × 279 ftTreatedUnlit
- 11L/29R1,654 ft × 1 ftTreatedUnlit
- 11/29unknownOtherUnlit
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 4,521 ft
WAG's 4,521 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to midsize jets.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Based charter operators1
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 22nmOHARNZAF Base Ohakea
- 35nmPMRPalmerston North AirportPalmerston North
- 57nmPPQParaparaumu Airport
- 67nmMROHood AirportMasterton
- 69nmNPLNew Plymouth AirportNew Plymouth
- 82nmWLGWellington International AirportWellington
Location
Open the full mapNZWU · Wanganui Airport · Wanganui, New Zealand
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from WAG on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (HNL) | 3,979 nm | 9h 39m |
| Los Angeles (VNY) | 5,777 nm | 13h 50m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 5,792 nm | 13h 52m |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 5,973 nm | 14h 17m |
| Scottsdale (SCF) | 5,990 nm | 14h 20m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 6,220 nm | 14h 52m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 6,272 nm | 14h 59m |
| Anchorage (ANC) | 6,308 nm | 15h 4m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use WAG?
- Wanganui Airport's longest paved runway is 4,521 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to midsize jets. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at WAG?
- Wanganui Airport has 5 runways; the longest measures 4,521 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at WAG?
- Yes. 1 charter operator list Wanganui Airport as a home base, including Air Wanganui Commuter Ltd. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- What is the nearest major airport to WAG?
- The closest alternate is RNZAF Base Ohakea (OHA), about 22 nm away, followed by Palmerston North Airport (PMR) at 35 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from WAG to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Honolulu about 9h 39m (3,979 nm), Los Angeles about 13h 50m (5,777 nm), San Francisco about 13h 52m (5,792 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.