2011 it was announced that Mount Gambier Airport would be upgraded under a $3.4 million program. This project was partly funded by the Government of South Australia who awarded a $500,000 infrastructure grant with the balance coming from the airport's reserve fund. The upgrade, part of a 15-year redevelopment plan, will strengthen the main runway, aprons and taxiways, to enable larger aircraft to operate to the airport and help increase the area's tourism appeal. 2021 Major Upgrade A further more substantial upgrade was unveiled in July 2019 which included replacement of the existing terminal with a new modern and larger facility, with the ability to implement future security screening. Construction commenced in November 2019 and was completed in early 2021. The $9.2M upgrade project was jointly funded by the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund in partnership with the South Australian State Government. The City of Mount Gambier also supported the Airport upgrade with a financial contribution. As well as the new $6.2m terminal, the upgrade also includes an extension of 120 meters to the main runway to service larger aircraft, a brand new heavy aircraft apron to house a larger contingent of fire bombers and other heavy aircraft and the entire airport precinct has had a full electrical upgrade from the previous 1950's system. Operations Ansett Airways The defunct airline Ansett Airways formerly operated scheduled domestic services with routes to Adelaide and Melbourne before being placed into administration in 2001. Aerostar Aviation In 2014 Adelaide-based company Aerostar Aviation announced they would open a flight training school utilising existing infrastructure. The facility will include 1 full-time flight instructor and a Cessna 172. It had been 15 years since the airport had been able to offer flight training, since the closure of the O'Connor Airlines training facility in 1999. deBruin Air In 2008 Mount Gambier businessman Adrian deBruin formed air charter company deBruin Air after acquiring the assets of defunct airline O'Connor Airlines. The company catered for executive and business charter, contract charter including fly-in fly-out, aerial photography, fire spotting and freight. DeBruin Air was formally closed in early 2016. Gambier Flying School In mid-2016, flight instructor Tony Peters commenced operations trading as Gambier Flying School. The school currently operates two small aircraft and caters for students working towards either their RA, GA or Commercial Pilots licences. O'Connor Airlines O'Connor Airlines, which ceased operations 14 December 2007, was formerly