Executive summary
The aircraft landed at Wellington ahead of schedule. All gates were full. While taxiing in a confined area in order to wait for the allocated gate to become clear the right wingtip of the aircraft struck the roof of a nearby covered walkway. A sealed area which would normally have provided a holding bay was occupied by a VIP car and two escort vehicles.
Related Recommendations
Enable at least one of the escort vehicles for VIP cars to remain in contact with the authority allocating gates on the Wellington Eastern Apron.
Investigate the allocation of a more remote area for parking VIP vehicles during peak traffic periods.
Arrange that during peak periods ATC be notified if no gates are available for arriving aircraft which normally use the Eastern Apron.
Remind captains of the desirability of keeping the other crew members informed of their intentions at all times.
Remind your pilots of the importance of verbal responses to instructions received on the aircraft's intercom.
Investigate the establishment of providing sufficient liaison with Air Traffic Control to ensure that aircraft captains be directed not to enter the Eastern Apron to the north of taxiway D unless the gate they have been allocated is free.
Investigate the feasibility of installing a ramp control facility in place of the existing gate allocation advisory service.