New Plymouth Airport is serviced by Air New Zealand with daily flights to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Post war, the airport returned to civilian use, and was used by the New Zealand National Airways Corporation with links to Whenuapai (Auckland) and Paraparaumu (Wellington).

In line with a general improvement of New Zealand's infrastructure throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and the National Airways Corporation (NZNAC) acquisition of Fokker F27 Friendships, New Plymouth's airport was reviewed.

In view of the undulating land, the need for a tarmac runway for the F27, and the clearer approach paths required, a new airfield was soon under construction at the end of Brown Road (recently renamed Airport Drive).

During construction of the airport, a small hill at the west end of the runway had to be levelled off, due to take-off and landing path infringements.

The main terminal building was equipped with a cafe, a Koru Regional Lounge and Air New Zealand check-in counters.

New Plymouth Airport is infamous for crosswinds, due mostly to the fact that although the tarmac runway faces into the prevailing SSW wind the area regularly receives a strong SSE/SE.

Previously it carried out charter work and air ambulance services as well as providing a well recognised flight training facility.

General aviation aircraft are located at the airport as well as heritage De Havilland Vampire, an L-39 Albatross, four Yak 52s and a Catalina Flying Boat.

[2] In an uncommon move, councillors approved the most expensive option for the redevelopment which included cultural aspects in the design and rejected plans for a cheaper, more functional building without any arguing.

The design featured separate arrival and departure gates, installing a larger mechanical baggage claim, a larger Air New Zealand lounge, more space for retail and the cafe, and the ability to create a passenger security area if required in the future.

The master plan also proposed a two-stage runway extension to better cater for larger ATR aircraft which are now regularly using the airport.

[12] The cultural narrative of the site was central to the terminal's design, with artist Rangi Kipa (Puketapu) taking a lead role in the construction which reflects the ancestral story of the Te Atiawa iwi (tribe) and helps reconnect it with its land (whenua).

New Plymouth Airport opened the new terminal building, named Te Hono, to its first flight on Tuesday 17 March 2020.

[13] The new terminal can cater for up to 650,000 people and includes a new retail space, a convenience grab and go offering, and the café/bar Airspresso.