Owais Crawford
Minnesota has eight airports offering commercial flights, but the majority of air traffic is centered around Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport. This airport is one of the nation's largest and is a key airline hub. It is located about 16 km from Minneapolis and St. Paul and is the busiest airport in Minnesota and the entire Upper Midwest region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (also known as Wold–Chamberlain Field) |
| Abbreviation | MSP |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Location | About 16 km from Minneapolis and St. Paul |
| Other nearby locations | Lake Elmo, Stillwater, Minnesota, Hudson, Wisconsin |
| Traffic | Handles the most passengers in Minnesota and the whole Upper Midwest region |
| Airlines | Delta, Sun Country Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air |
| Parking | Covered parking available |
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What You'll Learn
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport, is one of the largest airports in the United States and a key airline hub. It is located about 16 km from Minneapolis and St. Paul and is the busiest airport in Minnesota and the entire Upper Midwest region. The airport has two large terminals that welcome millions of passengers each year. Terminal 1 offers check-in and bag check services in the Ticketing Lobby on Level 2, while Terminal 2 offers ticket purchases, boarding pass issuance, and luggage check on Level 1. Both terminals provide ample covered parking options and convenient public transportation access.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) owns and maintains a seven-airport system, with Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport as its flagship facility. MAC also operates six general aviation airports, or reliever airports, located within 35 miles of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. These reliever airports attract traffic away from MSP and cater to corporate and recreational fliers.
Flying Cloud (FCM), located 10 miles south of Minneapolis, is the busiest airport in MAC's reliever airport system. It is a popular base for corporate jets and flight schools. Another reliever airport, the Lakeville Airlake Airport, primarily serves recreational fliers but is also well-suited for business aviation. The Anoka County-Blaine Airport, located north of Minneapolis and St. Paul, serves the most diverse aircraft among MAC's general aviation airports.
In the mid-20th century, the Minneapolis airport competed with St. Paul Downtown Airport (Holman Field) to become the primary air transportation centre in the area. Eventually, the Minneapolis airport evolved into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, while the St. Paul Downtown Airport became the metro area's primary facility for private business aviation.
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Flying Cloud Airport
Flying Cloud is the busiest airport in the MAC's reliever airport system, with more than 100,000 takeoffs and landings per year. It serves a variety of aircraft, including helicopter, piston engine, turboprop, and light turbojet aircraft. The airport is home to many corporate jets and flight schools, accommodating flight training, personal aviation, and business aviation users. It also houses the Viking Composite Squadron, a Civil Air Patrol squadron with its own airplane hangar.
The airport covers an area of 543 acres at an elevation of 906 feet above mean sea level. For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2022, the airport recorded 122,281 aircraft operations, with an average of 335 operations per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (96%), followed by air taxi (3%), commercial (<1%), and military (<1%). At that time, 324 aircraft were based at Flying Cloud Airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter aircraft.
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St. Paul Downtown Airport
The airport is a popular home base for corporate aircraft due to its location and for having the longest runway—6,941 feet—in the MAC reliever airport system. Two fixed-base operators provide services such as fueling, maintenance, aircraft storage, and line services. Aircraft charter services are also available.
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Airlake Airport
As part of the MAC's airport system, Airlake Airport plays a role in managing air traffic in the region surrounding Minneapolis and St. Paul. The MAC has developed long-term comprehensive plans (LTCP) for each of its airports, including Airlake, to ensure efficient traffic management and stimulate community growth. Additionally, the Airlake Airport Advisory Commission (ALAAC) has been formed to address airport development, aircraft operations, and noise concerns.
The airport is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021, reflecting its importance in the region's aviation infrastructure. Future plans for Airlake Airport include improvements to better cater to the needs of business aircraft, as the surrounding area is a growing suburb. These enhancements aim to make Airlake Airport an even more convenient option for both recreational and business aviation in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas.
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Anoka County-Blaine Airport
The Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE) is located just north of Minneapolis and St. Paul. It is home to the most diverse aircraft fleet in the MAC’s reliever airport system, including vintage, experimental, recreational, and corporate aircraft. With 365 aircraft, it is among the busiest in the system, second only to Flying Cloud Airport.
The airport covers 1,800 acres and has multiple fixed-base operators. Its non-federal aircraft control tower operates from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the winter and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the summer. The airport has two runways: Runway 9/27, which is 5,000' x 100', and Runway 18/36, which is 4,855' x 100'.
The Anoka County-Blaine Airport Advisory Commission (ACBAAC) is made up of appointed airport users and community representatives from Anoka County and the surrounding cities. The commission provides a platform for MAC staff, tenants, and neighbours to discuss airport development, aircraft operations, and noise concerns. The ACBAAC typically meets twice a year, generally on the second Wednesday of April/May and October/November, starting at 4 p.m.
The MAC has developed strategies to reduce aircraft noise in neighbourhoods around its seven airports, including Anoka County-Blaine. Pilots are asked to follow the Fly Neighbourly Guide, which outlines practices to minimise airplane noise.
In 2020, the airport received an FAA Airport Improvement Program Grant of $646,583 to rehabilitate taxiway lighting. In 2021, the airport celebrated the 25th anniversary of the opening of its air traffic control (ATC) tower.
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Frequently asked questions
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is the largest airport in Minnesota and the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest region.
Flying Cloud (FCM) is a reliever airport located 10 miles south of Minneapolis. St. Paul Downtown Airport (Holman Field) is the primary facility for private business aviation in the metro area. Minnesota has a total of eight airports offering commercial flights, with six general aviation airports owned and operated by the MAC.
Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air, and Sun Country Airlines are some of the airlines that fly into Minneapolis Airport.
