Formerly called Branti Airport, the airport was built by the Japanese in 1942 on the midst of World War II to combat the Allied forces. It serves as a home base of several Japanese airplanes and warplanes. After Indonesia declared independence, the airport was taken over by the Indonesian Air Force. At that time, the airport still have not served any commercial planes. In 1955, the management of the airport was handed over to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, since the Indonesian Air Force moved their air base to Astra Ksetra Air Force Base in Menggala, North Lampung Regency. In 1963, Branti Airport was handed over from Air Force to the Lampung Residency.