After being hit by a devastating tsunami on 26 December 2004, the airport underwent renovation and a 3000-metre runway for wide-body jet liners was built.

The airport was also used as a staging ground for international emergency aid in response to the tsunami in Aceh.

In 1993 and 1994 the Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport re-experience the developments related to the National MTQ be held in Banda Aceh, with a 2250 runway extension x 45 metres, which can accommodate aircraft DC-9 and B-737 and supported with the installation of a Radar which is located at Mount Linteung within approximately 14 km from the airport.

On 9 April 1994 the Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport join the PT (Persero) Angkasa Pura II, based on the letter of the Minister of Finance No.

On 19 May 2003, 458 Indonesian paratroopers landed near the airport as part of an offensive against Acehnese rebels.