It is located approximately 33 km (21 mi) northeast of the city center and immediately to the north of the Yaoqiang Subdistrict (遥墙街道), after which the airport is named.

According to the official website information of the airport in September 2017, Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport covers an area of 7200 acres, with a total terminal building area of 114000 square meters, including 30000 square meters of the south corridor area, which can ensure an annual passenger throughput of 12 million people, 4500 people during peak hours, and the demand for 100000 aircraft takeoffs and landings.

In December 2016, Sichuan Airlines began non-stop intercontinental service from Jinan to Los Angeles.

On 28 March 1985, in order to adapt the civil aviation industry of Shandong Province to the economic development and opening up needs of Shandong Province and the provincial capital Jinan, the People's Government of Shandong Province submitted a request report to the State Council and the Central Military Commission on the construction of Jinan Xiangwangdian Civil Airport.On 11 August of the same year, a supplementary report on the construction of Jinan Civil Aviation Airport was issued.

On 17 December 1997, after being reviewed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, its flight zone level was determined to be 4D.