It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023–2027 in which it is categorized as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.

The Lincoln Airplane and Flying School was established in 1928 and operated at the airfield (which briefly was known as Lindbergh Field), before later moving to Union Airport a few miles east.

However, due to the short summer flying season, flight training in Lincoln was closed on 15 November 1940 and moved to Drane Field in Lakeland, Florida where it reopened with new owners under the name "Lakeland School of Aeronautics" and continued Army contract pilot training.

A few years later, F-80C Shooting Star jet fighters would replace the unit's F-51s until the advent of the Korean War.

[10][11][12] After operating as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) base supporting Boeing B-47 Stratojet bombers, Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter refueling aircraft (by 1954) and SM-65 Atlas intercontinental ballistic missiles (by 1962), the Air Force finally closed the installation in 1966 and returned it to civilian hands.

[14] By 1985, three airlines were operating jet service into the airport according to the Official Airline Guide (OAG) including Air Wisconsin with British Aircraft Corporation BAC One-Elevens nonstop from Chicago O'Hare Airport and Grand Island, NE, Frontier with Boeing 737-200s and McDonnell Douglas MD-80s nonstop from Denver and Omaha, and United with Boeing 727-100s and Boeing 737-200s nonstop from Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Cedar Rapids and Peoria, IL.

[16] In May 2014 Delta Air Lines announced a non-stop flight to Atlanta would start September 8, resuming a service it briefly ran in 2009.

Several Nebraska Army National Guard units are collocated at the installation, just east of Runway 36 alongside Taxiway Delta.

[19] Because the airline didn't save money of people's ticket expenditures in a bank account until the actual flights happened, the company was unable to pay refunds until 2024.

[20] State audior Mike Foley has criticzed the airline, calling it a "failed riverboat gamble.

"[21] The Lincoln Airport terminal started a major renovation project dubbed "LNK Next" in 2022, which was completed in 2024.

[1] In the year ending March 31, 2021, the airport had 58,577 aircraft operations, averaging 160 per day: approximately 62% general aviation, 21% military, 13% air taxi, and 5% airline.

Several Nebraska Army National Guard units are also collocated at the installation, located just east of Runway 36, alongside Taxiway Delta.

[27] Lincoln Airport and the Air National Guard use new facilities on the east and southeast side of the former SAC airfield.

The B-47 parking ramp is unused, as well as the former B-47 alert pads (Christmas tree), still in evidence along the northwest end of runway 14/32.

[28] On September 25, 1973, a Learjet 25 operated by Lisa Jet crashed after takeoff bound for Eppley Field in low ceiling/fog conditions.