The Northern Rockies Regional Airport (NRRA) was established in 1941 as part of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Northwest Staging Route and was used for ferrying and refueling approximately 8,000 aircrafts en route to Russia during WWII. After the war, the USAAF transferred airport operations to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1947. Shortly after, RCAF transferred ownership of the airport to Transport Canada, who conducted its operation until the National Air Policy came into effect.

Since then, Fort Nelson (later the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality) has taken on sole ownership of the airport and its direction. Today, the NRRA operates with tenants ranging from fixed and rotary aircraft operations to scheduled and charter passenger services. The NRRA is also home to aircraft maintenance providers and refuelling services.