At the time, it was considered a nationally significant piece of aviation infrastructure as a stopping point and emergency landing option for airliners travelling between Sydney and Brisbane, capable of 24-hour operations, with facilities including a Lorenz beam installation to aid radio navigation.

Both Butler Air Transport and Australian National Airways expressed interest in establishing routes to Kempsey, however the facilities were now considered unsuitable for larger, modern aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3 and the existing site prone to flooding.

[5] Concerns that planned air services to the Kempsey would be abandoned altogether were addressed by the Department of Civil Aviation in May 1947, announcing a major upgrade to facilities, including a sealed runway.

[12] The proposal had twice been knocked back for previous grants, but was fast-tracked along with other projects in seats held by Deputy Premier John Barilaro's National Party while other areas waited for assistance with reconstruction of homes and repairs to critical infrastructure.

[2] The small passenger terminal and apron are located on the northern side of the airport in close proximity to the Kempsey Flying Club and a number of private hangars and aviation businesses based on the airfield.