Possibly the most stunningly beautiful airport in New Zealand, built on alluvial flats surrounded by an amphitheatre of snow capped mountains. Up until 2002 when the airport terminal was destroyed by arson, it was served by Mount Cook Airlines several times daily to Christchurch and Queenstown. Mount Cook Airlines’ owner Air New Zealand had no interest in continuing this route. With the terminal’s arson, Air New Zealand sold off the skiplane operation that still flies tourists to Tasman Glacier. A move which would have been politically impossible without the arson attack. Currently the airport mainly receives Convair 580 charter flights operated by Pionair. Well worth the visit whether by air or road. I have rated the airport for natural splendour and not for services available, since that would only score one star.