The old Taieri airfield was not economic to expand to cater for the growth in air travel expected in the future. Construction of the present airport was completed in 1962, and its primary use was to cater for passengers of short haul aircraft. NZNAC started Fokker Friendship services immediately upon opening with Vickers Viscount services starting in December 1962. A large new hangar was completed in 1963. Mount Cook Airlines operated to Dunedin from March 1966 to July 1991. NAC started Boeing 737 services to Dunedin in December 1968. Automatic sliding doors were provided in the terminal in 1969 with a Rothmans clock being installed in the terminal in 1971 and the toilets being expanded that same year. A new mezzanine floor and aircraft viewing deck were installed in 1974.