The airport was remodeled and reinaugurated in December 2001, in order to serve the islands of the Central Group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial), as well as expanded to support domestic connectivity to Lisbon.

On 5 July 1985, TAP Air Portugal initiated direct flights between Horta and Lisbon: the first aircraft was a Boeing 737 named Ponta Delgada.

[4] During the inauguration, the administration of the airport also identified plans to install satellite technology that would allow aircraft to land in instances of low cloud cover, or where visibility was poor or non-existent.

[5] A similar situation in 2009, lasting for 20 days resulted in redirected flights to Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) and Vila do Porto (Santa Maria).

The first-floor cafe/lounge is marked by an exterior observation deck, with a view of the runway, control tower and the distant island of Pico.