The airport was inaugurated on November 25, 1970, with the landing of a Mexicana de Aviación Boeing 727. It was built to replace the nearby Del Norte International Airport, whose limited safety infrastructure and surrounding urban growth prevented further expansion. The original terminal, now referred to as Terminal A, handled 346,000 passengers during its first year of operation.

Between 1976 and 1982, in response to Monterrey's growing economic importance, the airport underwent its first major expansion. A satellite concourse was constructed and linked to the main building via an underground corridor. By the 1990s, the airport had become a regional hub for Aerolitoral, the regional subsidiary of Aeroméxico, solidifying its role as a major transportation hub in northern Mexico.

In the early 2000s, Monterrey served as a hub for Aviacsa, which offered significant domestic and international routes. In 2006, Viva was established in Monterrey, marking a turning point as the airport diversified its operations with the introduction of low-cost carriers and the expansion of cargo activity. Terminal C was inaugurated to accommodate the growing presence of low-cost carriers such as Interjet and Volaris.As part of Aeroméxico's broader international strategy, the airline launched new long-haul services from Monterrey. Between 2005 and 2009, the airport offered its first transatlantic link, a nonstop flight to Madrid operated with Boeing 767 aircraft. A nonstop service to Rome was offered from 2008 to 2009. In 2010, Terminal B was opened to serve as a hub for Aeroméxico Connect. In 2014, Monterrey was incorporated into Aeroméxico's Asia network when the airline shifted the stopover of its Mexico City–Tokyo Narita route from Tijuana to Monterrey. A service to Seoul Incheon was added as part of Aeroméxico's Mexico City–Seoul route, stopping in Monterrey on the outbound leg (MEX–MTY–ICN), while the return flight operates nonstop to Mexico City (ICN–MEX).

In 2019, Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) launched a two-phase expansion project aimed at modernizing Terminal A and increasing airport capacity. With an investment of 4,245 million pesos (approximately USD230 million), the project includes new check-in areas and three piers with additional boarding gates, expanded baggage claim zones, and enhanced security facilities. Upon completion, the airport's annual capacity is expected to increase from 11 million to 16.5 million passengers. Although originally projected for completion in 2025, the timeline remains subject to delays.

In July 2022, Vinci Airports acquired a 30% stake in Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA), which has operated 13 airports across northern and central Mexico since 1995. The transaction marked a significant shift in the management and international integration of Mexican airport infrastructure.

In December 2023, the extension of Metro Line 6 to Monterrey International Airport was officially announced. Construction of the new Airport Station began on April 3, 2024. The project is intended to enhance the airport's connectivity to the urban fabric of Monterrey and to support increased traffic during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Regional airline Aerus began operations at Monterrey International Airport in 2023, establishing a hub with domestic and short-haul international routes. In 2025, Spanish flag carrier Iberia announced the launch of a nonstop service between Monterrey and Madrid, set to begin on June 2, 2026, marking its second destination in Mexico after Mexico City.

In April 2026 Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA), announced it was investing MX $8 billion in Monterrey Airport between 2026 and 2030 to develop the airport as Mexico's primary aviation hub.