The airport's main commercial activity is New Central Airservice commuter flights to the Izu Islands south of Tokyo.

Although it was originally envisioned as a public airport, with the onset of World War II it was exclusively used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service.

Occupied after the war by American forces, the airfield was briefly used as a base for Lockheed F-5 Lightning photo-reconnaissance aircraft of the 6th and 71st Reconnaissance Groups beginning in late September 1945, mapping the extent of wartime damage over Honshū.

The airport is currently used by a number of companies including Aerotec, Jamco,[4] Toho Air Service, Tokyo Airlines [ja][5] and New Central Airservice.

As a focal point of aeronautical research and development in Japan, the center plays an important role in supporting and leading the growth of the Japanese aviation industry.

[8] On August 10, 1980, a private plane crashed into the playground of Chōfu Junior High School after take-off, killing everyone on board.

[9][10] On July 26, 2015, a Piper PA-46 Malibu piloted by Taishi Kawamura and carrying four passengers on board, crashed into a residential area just after take-off.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department also launched an investigation, suspecting professional negligence resulting in injury and death.