[5][6] The airport was constructed in April 1993 at a cost of ₹6 crore (US$690,000), covering an area of 136 acres, which was extensively donated by local traders and industrialists.

Originally, it was planned for Vayudoot to begin flight services, using small aircraft and conceived with a 1,350-metre runway, it was later expanded by another 600 meters to accommodate bigger planes.

In 2006, Air Deccan agreed to begin its Salem operations, but only if the local industry deposited at least ₹ 90 lakh or gave a commitment for 50% bookings.

G. K. Chaukiyal, executive director (UDAN-RCS) at Airports Authority of India (AAI), in an e-mail message to the President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Salem, stated that the Hyderabad-based Turbo Megha Airways Private Limited had intimated the AAI of commencing flight services from Salem in the first week of December 2018.

Navigational facilities at the runway include Very high frequency (VHF) radio, Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), and a Non-directional beacon (NDB).

The Government of Tamil Nadu has issued orders for the expansion of the airport by acquiring an additional 570 acres of land from the nearby villages of Sikkanampatti, Thumbipadi, Pottiyapuram, and Kamalapuram, mostly for the expansion of the runway from 1,806 m (6,000 ft) to 2,438 m (8,000 ft) to handle larger aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 types, and in the future to make it capable of serving the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 types.

More facilities have been planned to be added to make it at par with large international airports, such as a warehouse and a hangar to provide maintenance to larger aircraft, covering an area of around 100 acres.

The expansion is mainly viewed for the operation of more flights to major and further destinations in India and abroad, like Delhi, Mumbai and for the night parking facility of aircraft from Bangalore and Chennai.

On 27 April 2018, hundreds of farmers and their family members laid siege to the Salem collectorate to protest against land acquisition for airport expansion in the city.

They also urged the district administration and the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, to drop the survey, even as they were assured of huge amounts in compensation.

[15][16] On 19 June 2018, activists including Piyush Manush and Mansoor Ali Khan were arrested for protesting against the airport expansion.

There is high demand from various trading associations and business fraternities to commence night landing facilities and additional flights to Chennai from Salem Airport.