Plans for an airport with short take-off and landing flights was launched by the government in December 1983. The airport was proposed along with five other regionals airport: Fagernes Airport, Leirin; Førde Airport, Bringeland; Mosjøen Airport, Kjærstad; Røst Airport and Værøy Airport. The plans were passed by Parliament on 10 April 1984. Grants for starting construction were issued on the 1985 state budget and operating permission was issued by the government on 6 September 1985. The financing was split between the state (60 percent), Vikna Municipality (30 percent) and Nord-Trøndelag County Municipality (10 percent). The municipal funding was financed through a loan in Kommunalbanken. Most of the state funding was granted on the 1986 state budget, along with three other airports. The original target was for 12,000 passengers per year.