Te Anau Airport Manapouri is definitely moving in the right direction according to Southland District (SDC) councilor and airport governance group chair Sarah Greaney.

The SDC facility has been plagued by controversy and losses since its construction in 2008.

However following a positive Great South review in January, the airport's governance group moved to develop a new business plan which is expected to be completed by June 2026.

The masterplan, which is currently under review by an aviation expert, includes expanding into residential hanger homes and adding additional commercial space.

Greaney said that with everything that was now in the pipeline, she was quietly confident about the airport's future.

"We've got a solid base to work from, and as we gain more traction and activity, it will be easier to build the momentum."

Greaney said that local tourism operator Tauck World Discovery Tours' chartered Air Chathams ATR72-500 planes would continue to use the airport through to 2027 and beyond.

Helicopter company Heliworks had also decided to establish a permanent base at the airport.

Greaney confirmed there was still another 10 existing sites available and ready for immediate release.

A planned Fiordland Aviation Event in 2026, coordinated by former Great South manager Glyn Saunders, would be an exciting new proposition for the airport, she said.

"If we can get more activity like that in play, then we start to get some traction in and around the airport."

Greaney also expressed confidence the airport's cafe - which has remained vacant - would finally be taken up.

"At the end of the day, we envisage it could be a destination cafe."

Greaney said that both Whakatane and Taupo didn't have massive air traffic but had been able to develop their cafes as destinations.

"It is just finding the right person, the right operator, that wants to be able to take it up."