[8][9] Fairchild purchased property on the south side of Conklin Street (New York State Route 24) and had the airport's original layout plan prepared on November 3, 1927.

[8][9][10] The 77.967-acre (315,520 m2) flying field was developed in the late winter and early spring of 1928 and was originally owned and operated by Fairchild Engine & Airplane Manufacturing Company.

[11] Republic built the straight-wing F-84 Thunderjet and the swept-wing F-84 Thunderstreak during the Korean War and extended Runway 14/32 to the southeast over the objections of Long Island State Parks Commissioner Robert Moses.

[15] The MTA also got the US Government to transfer 94 acres (380,000 m2) to the airport in 1971 and purchased the 77-acre (310,000 m2) Lambert property on the north side of New York State Route 109 and the Breslau Gardens development between New Highway and NY 109 in 1972.

[21] After complaints that the MTA was not contributing taxes to local governments and questions about the MTA spending at Republic, ownership of the airport was transferred to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) by the New York State Legislature in April 1983, to promote economic development in the surrounding Long Island region.

"[9][10][22] The Long Island Republic Airport Historical Society, was formed in 1984, and was chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1987.

[27] In April 2023, Republic Jet Center announced that it broke ground on a new, $28 million FBO facility at the airport to replace its old one.

[15] U.S. Customs and Border Protection has an office at the terminal building; however, it is staffed by appointment only and pilots must request immigration services four hours prior to arrival.

[11][23][24] Republic Airport is also home to the American Airpower Museum, which offers visitors the opportunity to see World War II aircraft in flight.