The site was a new construction area between the cities of Khamis Mushait and Abha, and served both equally.

Earlier, domestic flights had been handled at the military airport near Khamis Mushait.

[1] The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights: The airport has been frequently targeted in missile or drone attacks by Houthi forces during the Yemeni civil war.

[16] On 23 June 2019, the Houthis launched another attack on the airport, leaving a Syrian national dead and 21 injured.

[18] Another attack against the airport by Houthi forces occurred on 31 August 2020, when a bomb-laden drone was detected flying to it and intercepted, along with a remotely controlled boat off the Red Sea, which was also filled with explosives and ready for an attack.