Msp Airport: Size, Scale, And Scope Explored

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a joint civil-military public international airport located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, Minnesota. The airport covers 2,930 acres of land and is not part of any city but is surrounded by Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Richfield. It is the commercial airport hub for the Twin Cities and the surrounding area, serving more than 37 million travellers in 2024, making it the 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of passenger traffic.

MSP Airport is the 17th or 18th busiest airport in the US

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which accounts for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic. It is also the hometown carrier of Sun Country Airlines and the second-largest hub for Delta. In 2024, MSP served more than 37 million travellers, making it the 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of passenger traffic. However, some sources state that it is the 17th busiest airport in the country.

MSP Airport has one airfield with four runways and two terminal buildings—Terminal 1 and Terminal 2—each with adjoining parking ramp facilities. The airport covers 2,930 acres of land, although some sources state 3,400 acres, and is located within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. It is not part of any city but is surrounded by Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the suburban cities of Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Richfield.

The airport is managed and run by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), a public corporation established in 1943 by the Minnesota State legislature to provide coordinated aviation services throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The MAC is a self-funded public corporation, using rents and fees paid by airport users to fund operations. The airport is also home to several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations, including the 934th Airlift Wing and the 133rd Airlift Wing, which together comprise a total military presence of over 2,600 full-time and part-time personnel.

MSP Airport has been recognised for its excellence in various categories, including safety, fiscal management, labour relations, legal oversight, snow and ice control, concessions, airport design and development, and marketing and communications. In 2017, it was named the top North American airport for efficiency excellence in its size category by the Air Transportation Research Society. The airport's retail program was also recognised as the best of any large airport in North America by Airports Council International-North America, and Skytrax named MSP's staff as the best in North America in 2016.

It covers 2,930 acres or 3,400 acres

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, commonly abbreviated to MSP, covers 2,930 acres or 3,400 acres of land. The airport is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory and is not part of any city, despite being surrounded by Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the suburban cities of Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Richfield. Although sections of the airport border the city limits of Minneapolis and Richfield, the airport property itself is not part of any city or school district.

MSP is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. The airport is also a base for hometown carrier Sun Country Airlines, with Delta Air Lines and its regional affiliates accounting for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic. In addition to commercial flights, the airport is home to several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations, including the 934th Airlift Wing and the 133rd Airlift Wing, which together comprise a total military presence of over 2,600 full-time and part-time personnel.

MSP is the 18th busiest U.S. airport for passengers, serving more than 37 million travelers in 2024, and 21st for aircraft operations. It has been recognised as the best airport in America and the 5th most reliable large airport by Peter Greenberg. The airport has also received awards in various categories, including safety, fiscal management, labour relations, legal oversight, snow and ice control, concessions, airport design and development, and marketing and communications.

The airport is managed and run by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), a self-funded public corporation that also operates six smaller airports in the region. MAC keeps a system of seven general aviation airports and has one of the most comprehensive noise mitigation programs of any airport system in the U.S. The airport's economic impact is significant, generating an estimated $15.9 billion annually for the Twin Cities' economy and supporting more than 86,900 jobs.

The airport generates $15.9 billion annually

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) generates $15.9 billion annually for the Twin Cities' economy. It supports 86,900 jobs, with 21,200 of these being directly tied to the operation of the airport. People with jobs directly linked to MSP earn an average of $67,900 per full-time equivalent position (FTE), compared to the Minnesota average wage of $51,330 per FTE. Earnings for all jobs (direct, indirect, induced, onsite, visitor spending, and capital spending) totalled $3.7 billion in 2016.

In 2016, capital improvements at MSP supported 1,500 jobs, generating $80 million in wages and $240 million in total economic output. In the same year, 5.2 million visitors to the Twin Cities arrived via MSP, spending a total of $2.5 billion in the area. Visitor spending directly produced 30,900 jobs and contributed to the $15.9 billion generated by the airport.

In 2016, total tax contributions related to direct activities at MSP were close to $1 billion ($973 million). The federal government received 44% of these tax revenues ($427 million), while state and local governments received the remaining 56% ($546 million).

MSP is the 17th or 18th busiest travel hub in the US, serving more than 37 million travellers in 2024. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which, along with its regional affiliates, accounts for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic. The airport also serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary.

MSP is a joint civil-military airport, home to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Joint Air Reserve Station, which supports both the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard. The airport covers 2,930 acres (1,186 hectares) of land and is located within 10 miles (16 kilometres) of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul.

It served 33-37 million passengers in 2024

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport, served 33-37 million passengers in 2024. This made it the 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of the number of passengers served annually. The airport is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory and is nestled among several cities, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Richfield. It is not part of any city but supports more than 86,900 jobs and generates an estimated $15.9 billion a year for the local economy.

MSP Airport has one airfield with four runways and two terminal buildings, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, each with adjoining parking facilities. The airport covers 2,930 to 3,400 acres of land and is managed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), a self-funded public corporation that also operates six smaller airports in the region. The MAC has invested in airport facilities and services to accommodate the growing number of passengers and meet their changing demands.

Passengers can easily transfer between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 using the light rail transit service, which operates 24 hours a day with no fare charged for passengers travelling only between the two terminals. The airport has a strong focus on customer satisfaction and was ranked the best airport in the US in 2024 by J.D. Power. It has also received awards in various categories, including safety, fiscal management, and airport design.

MSP Airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and serves as the home airport for Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air. It offers 165 nonstop markets, including 130 domestic and 35 international markets. The airport is easily accessible from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul, with a speedy trip of just 15 to 30 minutes. The airport's central location, efficient operations, and high customer satisfaction make it a preferred choice for travellers in the region.

MSP Airport has two terminals

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, Minnesota. It is nestled among several cities, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Richfield. The airport covers 2,930 acres of land and has one airfield with four runways and two terminal buildings: Terminal 1 (Lindbergh Station) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey Station). Each terminal has its own parking ramp facilities, and passengers can transfer between terminals via a 24-hour light rail transit service.

Terminal 1, which opened in 1962, offers ticketing and bag-check services in the Ticketing Lobby located on Level 2. It also has various concessions, including food and drink options and shopping. Terminal 1 is currently undergoing a $242 million Airport Modernization Program to unify a modern design across six of its seven concourses.

Terminal 2 is located in Humphrey Station and offers ticketing, boarding pass, and luggage check services in the Ticketing Lobby on Level 1. In 2024, MSP began a 168,000-square-foot expansion project for Terminal 2, which will add two additional airline gates and provide space for new restrooms, concessions, and operational support areas.

MSP Airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and Sun Country Airlines, and it serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based airlines. The airport is known for its efficiency and has received numerous awards, including being named the "Best Airport in America" and the "5th Most Reliable Large Airport." It is also one of the busiest airports in North America, serving over 33 million passengers annually and offering nonstop service to 165 markets, including 130 domestic and 35 international destinations.

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