Te Anau Airport

This airport is not closed. The information provided in the query appears to be based on an erroneous or outdated database entry. The ICAO code 'NZ-0090' is a non-official identifier, likely from a user-contributed database, that incorrectly lists the airport as closed. The airport at the specified coordinates (-45.462799, 167.701004) is the active Te Anau Airport (Manapouri), with the official ICAO code NZMO and IATA code TEU.

The airport is fully operational and serves as the primary aviation hub for the Te Anau and Manapouri communities. Its main function today is as a base for numerous scenic flight operators offering fixed-wing and helicopter tours over Fiordland National Park. It also handles private aircraft, charter flights, and general aviation traffic. While scheduled passenger services by major airlines ceased in the early 2000s, the airport remains a critical piece of infrastructure for the region's tourism industry.

Te Anau Airport (Manapouri) was originally constructed in the 1960s to support the development of the massive Manapouri Power Station, providing a vital transport link for personnel and equipment. After the project's completion, it transitioned to a civil airport. It became a crucial gateway for tourism into the Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In its heyday, it handled scheduled domestic flights from major airlines like Mount Cook Airline and later Air New Zealand, connecting the region with Christchurch and Queenstown. These services were essential for bringing tourists to popular destinations like Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.

Not applicable, as the airport is not closed. There have been intermittent discussions and proposals over the years about the potential for reinstating scheduled commercial passenger services to Te Anau Airport (NZMO) to better serve the growing tourism demand in Fiordland. However, as of now, there are no definitive plans for this to occur.