However, the celebration, in honour of pioneer pilot Bert Mercer, will not be cancelled.
Spokeswoman for the organising committee Heleen Johnston said the party would take place as planned, regardless of whether vintage aircraft could fly in or not.
"It doesn't matter what the weather is doing. It is going to happen. We have got a large marquee and it is just what the West Coast does. It [the weather] will add to the interest," Mrs Johnston said.
A Fox Moth and Dragonfly from the Croydon Aircraft Company were in Hokitika yesterday for airline celebrations and the opening of the Mercer Lounge.
The aircraft would attempt to make use of a "window" in the weather late yesterday or early this morning to fly to Haast.
"Apparently, it is going to be short, sharp and quick . . . If they had come this morning they would have got in. It has only just started to rain," Mrs Johnston said yesterday.
A third vintage aircraft, a Dominie, has not made the journey from its Mandeville hangar to the West Coast because there is no hangar at Haast large enough to protect the wooden and fabric aircraft from the elements.
The aircraft company is keeping an eye on the conditions in case the Dominie can go to the coast.
The celebration programme at Haast today includes a plaque unveiling at noon at the Department of Conservation's visitor information centre; a pageant, community event, and trade and food stalls at the revamped Haast aerodrome from 1pm-4pm; and a dinner and book launch at the Haast Heritage Hotel from 6.30pm.
The late Bert Mercer was the first New Zealand pilot to achieve 10,000 flying hours and started the country's first airline service, between Hokitika and South Westland, on December 18, 1934.
The service continued until 1967, when the new Haast highway made operations uneconomic.
