The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it a general aviation facility.

[3] During World War II the facility was Independence Army Airfield and was used for United States Army Air Forces Second Air Force pilot training.

The airfield was closed by the Air Force in 1947 and ownership was turned over to the City of Independence for use as a municipal airport.

In 2008 tower operations commenced with the first takeoff clearance given to a newly built Cessna 172R.

[1] In the year ending September 22, 2010 the airport had 10,600 aircraft operations, average 29 per day: 86% general aviation, 13% air taxi, and 1% military.