**Wellington Airport to Bid Farewell to Iconic Hobbit Eagles**

**Wellington Airport announces the removal of its iconic Hobbit-themed eagle sculptures to make way for an upcoming exhibit, leaving fans with cherished memories while looking forward to new attractions.**

In a poignant change for the iconic Wellington Airport, New Zealand is set to remove its beloved Hobbit-themed eagle sculptures this Friday, making way for an intriguing new mystery exhibit. For over a decade, these towering representations of the eagles from JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have graced the airport's ceiling, standing as symbolic guardians for travelers arriving in New Zealand.

Wellington Airport authorities confirmed that the eagles, which have captivated visitors since their unveiling in 2013, will be carefully unfastened and placed in storage. Their removal is bittersweet, according to Wellington Airport Chief Executive Matt Clarke. “It's not unusual to see airborne departures from Wellington Airport, but in this case, it will be emotional for us,” he expressed.

Each eagle, weighing in at 1.2 tonnes and spanning an impressive 15 meters in wingspan, features intricate design elements, including hundreds of feathers made from polystyrene and an internal steel skeleton. The eagles not only served as a welcoming sight but also showcased a miniature sculpture of the influential wizard Gandalf riding on the back of one of them.

Fans of the franchise will find some comfort in knowing that Smaug the Magnificent, the dragon from The Hobbit series, will remain on display at the airport's check-in area. The sculptures, created by Wētā Workshop, a renowned New Zealand company behind the film series' props, were iconic in celebrating the breathtaking New Zealand landscapes featured in the films.

As part of adapting to this change, Wellington Airport is collaborating with Wētā Workshop to develop an engaging locally-themed replacement for the departing eagles. Clarke hinted at revealing more details about the new exhibit later this year, inviting avid fans and travelers to stay tuned. The eagles certainly made their mark; a previous earthquake incident in 2014 caused one eagle to fall, thankfully resulting in no injuries.