Mianyang Nanjiao Airport was developed to replace the older Mianyang Tangxun Airport (塘汛机场), which had served as a military and training airfield for decades. In 1956, it became the base of the Fourth Regiment of the China Civil Aviation Advanced Aviation School, the predecessor of today's Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC; 中国民用航空飞行学院).

The new airport first proposed its construction concept in 1988. A preparatory leadership group was established in 1992, and a pre‑feasibility study was approved in 1993. On July 3, 1994, the State Council and the Central Military Commission approved the relocation of Tangxun Airport and the construction of a new civil airport for Mianyang. The new facility was officially named Mianyang Nanjiao Airport and designated as a 4C‑class airport shared between the city and the Mianyang Branch of CAFUC. Construction approval for the project was issued the same year. The feasibility report was issued in 1995, the master plan was implemented in 1996. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 3, 1997 and full construction began in October of that year. The airport was completed and officially opened to traffic on April 28, 2001.

Shortly after opening, the airport expanded rapidly. It was upgraded to 4D classification in 2003 and further to 4E in 2008. During the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, the airport served as a major hub for emergency relief operations, handling large volumes of rescue personnel, medical evacuations, and supply flights.

In 2017, the airport's annual passenger throughput exceeded 3 million, reflecting its status as one of the fastest‑growing regional airports in western China.

In 2019, with Chengdu Shuangliu Airport reaching capacity saturation, Mianyang Airport's passenger and cargo throughput reached record highs since its opening (4.15 million passengers and 8,860.4 tons). A total of 56 passenger routes and 1 cargo route were opened, connecting 37 cities.