The airport was established in the 1960s as an airfield for general aviation and a flying club.

In the 1980s the runway was paved and an apron and a terminal with 941 m² were constructed, enabling Macaé Airport to fully support the operations related to the Campos basin.

In fact, most of its movement (98%) is related to helicopter flights to/from offshore oil platforms of the Campos basin.

[5] On June 1, 2022 the name of the airport was officially changed from Benedito Lacerda to Joaquim de Azevedo Mancebo (1924–1973), celebrating the founder of the local air club.

[6] As of June 1, 2023 operations of aircraft with fixed wing was severely restricted, due to major renovation works which include the runway.