Milford Sound Airport facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Milford Sound Airport
Milford Sound Airport as seen from an aircraft
IATA: MFN ICAO: NZMF
Summary
Airport type	Public
Operator	Ministry of Transport
Serves	Milford Sound
Location	Milford Sound
Elevation AMSL	3 m / 10 ft
Coordinates	44°40′24″S 167°55′24″E / 44.67333°S 167.92333°E / -44.67333; 167.92333
Runway
Runway Length Surface m ft 11/29 782 2,565 Asphalt

Milford Sound Airport (also known by its codes MFN and NZMF) is a small but very busy airport. It's located in Milford Sound, a beautiful area in the Fiordland region of New Zealand's South Island. This airport is mostly used by companies that offer amazing scenic flights for tourists.

Where is Milford Sound Airport?

Milford Sound Airport is right in the heart of Milford Sound village. This village sits at the very end of the famous Milford Sound fiord.

The airport helps the many tourism businesses in Milford Sound. This includes boat tours, kayaking trips, and people hiking the Milford Track. It also serves fishing boats based in the area. The airport is located where the Cleddau and Arthur Rivers meet.

A Brief History of Milford Sound Airport

First Landings and Early Development

The first airplane landed at Milford Sound on November 17, 1938. It was a de Havilland Puss Moth flown by Arthur Bradshaw from Southland Airways. However, plans to build an airport were put on hold because of World War II.

After the war, pilot Fred 'Popeye' Lucas was the next to land a plane there. He landed his Southern Scenic Airtrips Auster on a sand spit on August 22, 1951. This landing sparked the idea for a proper airstrip. It would help expand tourism into Milford Sound.

Building and Upgrading the Airstrip

An airstrip was built, starting at about 503 meters (550 yards) long. The first official landing happened in May 1952.

Over the years, the airstrip has been improved and made longer. Today, it is a sealed strip that is 792 meters long. In 1956, the airstrip became officially licensed. This allowed Southern Scenic Airtrips and National Airways Corporation (NAC) to fly larger twin-engine planes into the area.

Opening Up Milford Sound

Before the airport, Milford Sound was often cut off in winter. The roads would become impossible to use. With the new airstrip, more people could visit. By 1964, over 400 tourists each month were taking special "Gateway to Magnificence Experience" flights to Milford Sound during busy holiday times.

What Happens at the Airport?

A view of Milford Sound Airport from a Glenorchy Air GA8 aircraft

The small terminal building at Milford Sound Airport

When the weather is good, Milford Sound Airport is very busy! Many small planes fly in and out each day. These are mostly charter flights. They carry people from places like Queenstown, Wanaka, and Te Anau. Many flights are also sightseeing trips.

Common planes you might see include the Britten-Norman Islander, different Cessna models (like the 172, 206, 207, and Caravan), and the GA8 Airvan. Helicopters are also very active here. The New Zealand Department of Aviation even has special guidelines for pilots flying to and from Milford Sound Airport.

Airlines and Destinations