Union Airways operated its main trunk De Havilland Express airliners into the airport.
Lockheed Lodestar and Douglas DC-3 Skyliner airliners were the main form of transport to use the airport.
NZNAC wanted to introduce their new Fokker Friendship onto provincial routes and retire its ageing DC-3s, which would require a paved main runway.
New Plymouth City Council decided to build a new paved runway and terminal at the end of Brown Road, which was completed in 1966.
Bell Block was closed and turned into a light industrial and warehousing estate.