The airport is 2.25 nautical miles (4.17 km; 2.59 mi) west[2] of the city centre and is owned and managed by the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council on behalf of its owners - the constituents of the Hastings.

[4] Competition by Virgin resulted in a significant drop in fare prices for the Port Macquarie - Sydney route, where Qantas previously operated a monopoly after Hazelton Airlines ceased services in 2001.

[5] On 28 July 2011, Virgin Australia (in partnership with Skywest Airlines) announced its intention to commence a daily Brisbane to Port Macquarie service from October 2011.

[6][7] Both routes have since been withdrawn due to the removal of ATR72 aircraft from the Virgin Australia fleet in 2020.

Connections to Brisbane (via Coffs Harbour) by Brindabella Airlines ceased 31 December 2010, citing poor loads on the route.