The airport was named after Martin Hector, who first leased, and then donated the original 50 acres of land to the city.

The airport was the intended destination for the airplane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson on February 3, 1959.

The airplane crashed shortly after takeoff from Mason City, Iowa, killing the three musicians and the pilot.

The $15.5 million project designed by TL Stroh Architects updated the terminal and added a fifth gate, an additional baggage claim and expanded the security checkpoint area.

On October 1, 1948, the Gorman dogfight, a widely publicized UFO encounter, took place over Hector International Airport.