It was replaced (after several delays) by the new Región de Murcia International Airport, when it opened on 15 January 2019.

The military air base dates back to at least the early 1930s and is located at the northern end of the airport.

[3] The airport invested in a new €60 million runway and terminal buildings around 2004 to 2011 In November 2011, the Minister of Public Works Antonio Sevilla, and Secretary of State for Transport Isaías Táboas, signed an official agreement that effectively proposed to close the airport to civilian air traffic from 2012.

In November 2017, the Spanish government said it would be awarding AENA the contract of managing Corvera Airport - whereby San Javier would be closed and flights transferred.

San Javier closed on 14 January 2019 and all airlines transferred their services to the new airport the following day.