Panair do Brasil was the first airline to operate in the airport, with service to the cities of Belo Horizonte, Salvador, and Recife commencing in 1942.

In 1948, Nacional Serviços Aéreos commenced regular operations with daily flights between Montes Claros and Belo Horizonte, using Douglas DC-3 aircraft with capacity for 24 passengers.

[5][6] In 1974, VARIG began using the Boeing 737-200 jet aircraft for its Montes Claros routes, with a capacity for 109 passengers and over six tons of baggage and cargo.

In the same year, Nordeste Linhas Aéreas began operating routes between Montes Claros and Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Guanambi, and Vitória da Conquista.

[5][6] Starting in 2011, various renovations took place at the airport, including the installation of air conditioning in the passenger terminal, accessibility improvements, and the construction of a new parking lot.