The airlines Braathens SAFE and Widerøe both launched an alternative proposal whereby the government instead should build a network of short take-off and landing airports. When Håkon Kyllingmark was appointed Minister of Transport and Communications in 1965, he placed the primary airport construction plan on hold and instead focused on construction of regional airports.
Håkon Kyllingmark's appointment as Minister of Transport and Communications led to a change in focus from building a large airport to developing regional airports. Braathens SAFE and Widerøe had previously proposed an alternative plan for the government to build a network of short take-off and landing airports.