The airport is named after Nabire Regent, Isaias Douw, with Douw Aturure being a title given by coastal tribes in Nabire.

The construction of airport terminal began in September 1972 and completed on 6 August 1973.

10 days later, it was inaugurated by Kardono with his wife Emil Salim.

On 23 April 2019, a building at the old Nabire airport caught fire.

[5] The following destinations are served from Douw Aturure Airport: