The runway was extended to 3,000 meters in 2005, and the instrument landing system upgraded to handle Cat-3a fog conditions in 2007. The Tōhoku Shinkansen high-speed rail line was extended to Aomori in 2010, adding intense competition on the Aomori–Tokyo route.
A significant development occurred at the airport in 2005, when the runway was lengthened to 3,000 meters. Furthermore, the instrument landing system was upgraded in 2007 to handle severe fog conditions. At the same time, a high-speed rail line, the Tōhoku Shinkansen, was extended to Aomori in 2010, resulting in increased competition on the Aomori–Tokyo route.