In October 1928, John M. Patterson landed a Yukon Airways and Exploration Co Alexander Eaglerock biplane at Johnston's Field.

In March 1931, Tom S. Corless made a weather-prompted landing of a Stinson SM-8A at Nam Sing's Field about 10 kilometres (6 mi) north of Quesnel.

[7] Wheel-equipped aircraft heading to Alaska preferred the inland route up the Fraser, making Quesnel a popular stop.

[9] In January 1938, the inaugural Ashcroft–Fort St. John airmail run landed on the frozen Dragon Lake south of Quesnel.

[10] In 1942, during World War II, the DND developed the present site as an intermediate facility between Williams Lake and Prince George.

[28] During a 1974 firefighter strike at Prince George Airport, CP Air and PWA Boeing 737s were landing at Quesnel.

[29] Less than a week later, these 737 flights switched to Williams Lake, because the existence of only auxiliary ground crew firefighters and a 160-kilogram (350 lb) dry chemical carrying truck at Quesnel Airport was deemed inadequate.

[30] By 1978, the three trained part-time firefighters and a 450-kilogram (1,000 lb) dry chemical truck exceeded the fire suppression standards for a Class F airport.

[31] A foam fire truck had been transferred to Williams Lake the prior year, because of decreased air traffic at Quesnel.

At the time, the federal government provided $1.8 million for safety improvements, which included resurfacing the runway, taxiway and apron, and upgrading the airfield lighting.

[49] That year, the airport provided a temporary base for personnel and aircraft fighting wildfires in the area,[50] which developed into an ongoing forestry services facility.

[57] Other users are the Quesnel Flying Club,[58] medevacs, and charter flights for the forestry, oil and gas, and mining industries.