An airstrip was opened on the island of Kikaijima in 1931 by the Imperial Japanese Navy.

It was attacked by the United States Navy repeatedly during the Battle of Okinawa in the final stages of World War II.

One of the pilots on these raids was Samuel Hynes, later a well-known author and university professor.

The airport was closed from August to December 1968 to permit strengthening of the runway.

In April 1971, it was designated as a third-class airport by the Japanese government.