More than 10,000 people are estimated to have viewed static displays, the Police Armed Offenders Squad in action, a range of planes, helicopters, fire trucks, a Coastguard boat and more at the Rotorua Airport and Baytrust Open Day today.

74 year old John Pheasant with his Tiger Moth at the Airport Open Day – he first flew the plan into Rotorua Airport exactly 50 years ago to the day. On board are Oliver (9) and Toby (6) James.

The Open Day was held to help celebrate the Airport's 50^th anniversary, to highlight the work of Baytrust Rescue Helicopter, and to showcase the range of activities that take place at the site and all the different people and organisations who work there. A plaque acknowledging Ngati Uenukukopako Iwi was also unveiled today.

Airport chief executive, Alastair Rhodes, says he is thrilled with the turnout at the Open Day.

'It is fantastic to see so many people, from all over Rotorua, here today. There has been plenty to look at, lots of activities to do and important things to learn, like what you can and can't take on a plane.

'The Airport is a key part of Rotorua's infrastructure and we wanted to invite the public through the gates so they could learn more about what goes on at their Airport, including some of the areas that are normally tightly secure.

'Our Airport connects whanau, friends, businesses and communities with New Zealand – and the rest of the world. Its great to see so many people here today taking an interest in what goes on here.”

A number of small aircraft were also on display at the Open Day, including several which had travelled from Tauranga, and as far away as Gisborne, just for the day. Airways New Zealand waived their landing fees for the day to encourage people to take part.

Seventy-four-year-old John Pheasant, flew his Tiger Moth from Tauranga to take part in the Open Day – 50 years to the exact day that he first flew it into Rotorua Airport.

On that day, 30 March 1964, the former aircraft engineer flew his Tiger Moth from New Plymouth, to Tauranga, Rotorua and then back to New Plymouth.

'The Terminal hadn't been officially opened then, so I landed on the old airstrip, stepped over the fence and went to the pub for a lemonade! It looks a bit different now,” says John.

He says he wanted to take part in the 2014 Open Day 'just for the heck of it”.

Alastair says the Open Day wouldn't have been possible without a lot of help and effort from a large number of people and organisations.

'We'd like to thank and acknowledge everyone who was involved."