
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a joint civil-military airport serving the Twin Cities in Minnesota. It is one of the busiest airports in the region, supporting commercial flights from major airlines and several US Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations. The airport has two terminals with a total of 131 gates, and both terminals offer covered parking, dining, and shopping options. The airport is also recognised for its noise mitigation program, which has helped reduce aircraft noise for residents in the vicinity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport |
| IATA | MSP |
| ICAO | KMSP |
| FAA LID | MSP |
| Location | Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory |
| Distance from downtown Minneapolis | 10 miles |
| Distance from downtown Saint Paul | 10 miles |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Gates | 131 |
| Airlines | Major American and some international airlines |
| Security checkpoints | 2 |
| Security checkpoint reservation program | MSP RESERVE |
| Military presence | Yes |
| Military personnel | Over 2,600 |
| Noise mitigation program cost | $95 million |
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What You'll Learn
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is a joint civil-military airport
- The airport is home to the 934th Airlift Wing (934 AW) and the 133d Airlift Wing (133 AW)
- MSP has a comprehensive noise mitigation program
- The airport is centrally located within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul
- MSP is the commercial airport hub for the Twin Cities and the surrounding area

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is a joint civil-military airport
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as Wold–Chamberlain Field, is a joint civil-military airport. Located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, Minnesota, the airport is within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. It is the largest and busiest airport in the Upper Midwest region of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The airport is home to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Joint Air Reserve Station, which supports both the Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard flight operations. The 934th Airlift Wing (934 AW), an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit, and the 133d Airlift Wing (133 AW) of the Minnesota Air National Guard are based at the airport. Both units fly the C-130 Hercules and are operationally managed by the Air Mobility Command (AMC). The 934 AW acts as the "host" wing, providing lodging, an officers' club, a Base Exchange (BX), and other morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) facilities for active, reserve, and retired military personnel and their families.
The airport primarily hosts commercial flights from major American and some international airlines. It also serves as a hub for several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations, as well as a variety of air cargo operators. The airport has two terminals with a total of 131 gates. Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) has 117 gates across seven concourses, while Terminal 2 offers additional gates and facilities.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport has achieved notable rankings and recognition. In 2022, a J.D. Power survey ranked it as the best airport in the US and Canada for traveller satisfaction. It also received recognition from analytics company Cirium in 2023 as the world's most punctual international airport, with impressive on-time departure and arrival rates.
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The airport is home to the 934th Airlift Wing (934 AW) and the 133d Airlift Wing (133 AW)
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport, is a joint civil-military public international airport that serves the Twin Cities in the US state of Minnesota. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul.
The 934 AW consists of over 1,300 military personnel, including approximately 250 full-time Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) and Air Reserve Technician (ART) personnel. The unit's mission is to organize, recruit, and train Air Force reservists in tactical airlift operations, delivering airborne forces, equipment, and supplies by airdrop, landing, or cargo extraction systems. The 934 AW has a rich history, having been established as the 934th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, and activated on 15 January 1963, serving as headquarters for the 96th Troop Carrier Squadron.
The 133 AW is similarly composed, resulting in a total military presence of over 2,600 full-time and part-time personnel at the MSP Airport. The presence of these units contributes to the airport's joint civil-military nature and supports its role in facilitating both commercial flights and military operations.
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport has been recognized for its excellence, ranking highly in customer satisfaction and punctuality. With updated facilities, efficient operations, and a focus on sustainability, the airport strives to provide a positive experience for travellers and military personnel alike.
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MSP has a comprehensive noise mitigation program
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is a joint civil-military public international airport serving the Twin Cities in the US state of Minnesota. It is one of the busiest airports in the region and has been recognised for its punctuality and customer satisfaction.
The program was established in response to concerns from residents about the negative impact of aircraft noise on their communities. A citizen group, ROAR (Residents Opposed to Airport Racket), was formed in 1998 to push for noise reduction measures. As a result, the MAC began outfitting homes in the vicinity of the airport with sound insulation and air conditioning to reduce indoor noise levels.
The noise mitigation program at MSP has continued to evolve, with the next phase extending from 2025 to 2032. This phase will provide noise-reducing modifications to eligible houses and apartments, with eligibility determined annually based on noise contours developed for the preceding calendar year. The MAC will offer sound insulation to qualifying single-family and multi-family homes, with the goal of reducing the impact of aircraft noise on the surrounding communities.
In addition to the noise mitigation program, MSP has also implemented the Fly Neighborly program, which includes guides and designated zones to build awareness of the sensitivity to aircraft activity among airport neighbours.
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The airport is centrally located within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport, is located within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The airport is situated in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, and it serves the Twin Cities in the US state of Minnesota. With two terminals, MSP is the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest, accommodating commercial flights from major American and some international airlines. It also supports several US Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations.
The airport is easily accessible from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul. From downtown Minneapolis, travellers can take the Blue Line to reach either Terminal 1-Lindbergh Station or Terminal 2-Humphrey Station at the airport. Meanwhile, travellers from downtown Saint Paul can take the Green Line to U.S. Bank Stadium Station, then switch to the Blue Line to get to the airport. The Light Rail Transit system also connects the airport with the city centre and other locations.
For those who prefer to drive, MSP Airport offers various parking options, including covered parking ramps. The airport provides clear driving directions on its website, and one can conveniently reach the airport by car from downtown Minneapolis in about 25 minutes.
In addition to its accessibility, MSP Airport has been recognised for its high ranking in customer satisfaction. A 2022 J.D. Power survey scored the airport at 800 out of 1,000, ranking it the best in the US and Canada. This high satisfaction rating can be attributed to the airport's recently updated facilities, including top-tier dining and shopping options.
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MSP is the commercial airport hub for the Twin Cities and the surrounding area
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport, is a joint civil-military public international airport that serves the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) in Minnesota. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul.
The airport has been recognised for its high rankings in customer satisfaction, receiving the top score among large US and Canadian airports in a 2022 J.D. Power survey. In 2023, it was also recognised as the world's most punctual international airport by analytics company Cirium, with impressive on-time departure and arrival rates.
In addition to its role as a commercial hub, MSP is also home to several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations. The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Joint Air Reserve Station supports both the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard. The airport station is home to the 934th Airlift Wing and the 133d Airlift Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard, with a total military presence of over 2,600 full-time and part-time personnel.
MSP offers a range of amenities and services to ensure a pleasant experience for travellers, including covered parking, top-tier dining, and shopping options. The airport also prioritises noise mitigation, working closely with nearby communities to reduce aircraft noise.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Minnesota Air National Guard is present at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. The airport is also home to the 133rd Airlift Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard, which is composed of over 1,300 military personnel.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission is a public corporation that manages and runs the MSP airport. It was established in 1943 by the Minnesota State legislature to provide coordinated aviation services throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
The MSP airport has two terminal buildings: Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 has 117 gates across seven concourses, lettered A-G, while Terminal 2 has 14 gates.
































