The Red Deer Regional Airport was built during World War II to train Allied forces. The airport was a former Canadian Air Force pilot training base for NATO pilots until 1965.

The Military built the training airfield at this site because of the predominantly good flying weather and the un-congested airspace. Both factors are still valid today. The Red Deer area boasts good flying weather over 95% of the year.

The City of Red Deer took over operation of the airport in 1965 and the Province extended the main runway 16/34 to 5528 feet in 1980 bringing it up to "737" standards. The ownership of the airport was taken over on September 1st, 1999 by the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority which includes the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County and the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce as stakeholders.