The airport was originally constructed by Mount Cook Airline as a base for the large Manapouri Powerstation project created in the 1960s.

The Council widened and lengthened the sealed main runway out to 1600 metres to encourage a return of scheduled services.

[2] Scheduled services have been operated from Queenstown to Te Anau in the past, with Mount Cook Airline's Hawker Siddeley HS 748 and de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.

Air New Zealand had plans to resume a daily Christchurch service prior to the 2011 earthquake but cancelled the proposal due to a drop in tourist numbers.

Tauck World Discovery Travel currently charters an ATR72-500 aircraft operated by Air Chathams to fly to the airport as part of their New Zealand tours.