with the extension of the north australia railway in 1926, a bridge across the katherine river opened, allowing local businesses to move from the rail head town of emungalan to more favourable sites on the southern bank of the river in the new township of katherine. previously, a rough airstrip built in 1923 had served the area, however, with the increased development land was sought and secured in 1930 for a permanent airport north-east of the town. in march 1934, dr clyde fenton, newly appointed as government medical officer began operating medical evacuation flights from the airport using a gipsy moth biplane bought with his own money. this operation would lead to the foundation of the northern territory aerial medical service. fenton's aircraft is preserved and on display in a purpose built hangar at the katherine museum, adjacent to the former runway. during the 1930s, the airfield was used as a refuelling stop by guinea airways, operating flights between darwin and adelaide.