On May 30, 2012, the State Council approved the construction of Longnan Chengxian Airport.

On September 13, 2017, the airport passed the flight inspection by the Civil Aviation Administration of China; on October 13, the airport's verification test flight was completed; it passed the final acceptance inspection on December 15–16. From December 20th to 22nd, 2017, the Northwest Regional Administration of Civil Aviation, together with the Gansu Regulatory Bureau, organized and completed the industry acceptance inspection.

On March 24, 2018, the Northwest Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued a civil airport operating license to Longnan Airport. The airport operating permit includes: Flight area rating 4C; runway length 2800 meters, width 45 meters; airport elevation 1130.8 meters; pavement grade PCN 62/R/B/W/T; maximum permitted aircraft types: B737-800, A321-200; fire and rescue level 6, etc. On March 25, 2018, a Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft operated by China Express Airlines, took off from Chongqing Jiangbei Airport and landed at Longnan Chengxian Airport, completing the airport's maiden voyage.

Starting in late September 2025, the airport launched a "non-stop construction" project to enhance the flight area's support capabilities. The project would last approximately 100 days and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with the aim of further improving operational safety and efficiency. The project mainly included expanding the apron to the east side to add three (3B) general aviation parking positions, along with supporting facilities and equipment.