It will replace the old nearby airport Mo i Rana Airport, Røssvoll which has a very short runway and only allows small propeller aircraft on short distances, mainly to Trondheim and Bodø.

The new airport will have a fairly long runway allowing 6-seats wide jet aircraft going to Oslo and on international routes.

There are also doubts about the future availability of large enough aircraft for 800-metre (2,600 ft) runways.

[8] In June 2023, financing was agreed upon, including 66 million kr from Rana Municipality, to make the runway 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) instead of 2,200 metres (7,200 ft), which will allow Boeing 737-800 and similar aircraft to take off and land fully loaded also in slippery icy conditions.

A ceremony for the construction start of the terminal building was held in September 2024.