Sachin Walls
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving more than 37 million travellers in 2024. It is the 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft operations. The airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, generating around $15.9 billion annually and supporting over 86,000 jobs. With high passenger volume, MSP often experiences busy travel periods, such as the MEA travel week, where additional staff are required to manage the increased traffic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Busiest days | Thursdays during the MEA break |
| Annual aircraft operations | 400,000+ landings and takeoffs |
| Annual passenger traffic | 37 million+ travelers |
| Busiest departure days | MEA week |
| Ranking in North America | 18th busiest |
| Ranking in the US | 18th busiest for passengers, 21st for aircraft operations |
| Ranking in the Upper Midwest | Busiest airport |
| Ranking in Minnesota | 2nd busiest |
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What You'll Learn
Busiest in Upper Midwest
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, commonly abbreviated as MSP, is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. It is the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest and the 18th busiest in North America in terms of passenger traffic, serving over 37 million travellers in 2024. On average, before the COVID-19 pandemic, MSP accommodated more than 400,000 landings and takeoffs annually.
MSP is a significant hub for Delta Air Lines, which accounts for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic. It also serves as the home base for Minnesota-based carriers Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. The airport covers 2,930 acres of land and is a major economic generator, contributing an estimated $15.9 billion annually to the Twin Cities' economy and supporting over 86,900 jobs.
The airport is also a joint civil-military facility, housing the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Joint Air Reserve Station. It supports both the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard, including the 934th Airlift Wing and the 133rd Airlift Wing. Together, these units comprise over 2,600 full-time and part-time military personnel.
MSP experiences particularly high passenger volume during certain periods, such as the MEA travel week. To accommodate the increased traffic, the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) often opens alternative pick-up and drop-off areas and increases staffing levels to reduce wait times for check-in and security processes.
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18th busiest in North America
MSP Airport is the 18th busiest airport in North America in terms of passenger numbers, serving over 37 million travellers in 2024. It is also the 21st busiest for aircraft operations, with over 400,000 landings and takeoffs occurring annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. As the second-largest hub for Delta Air Lines, MSP Airport offers nonstop service to 165 markets, including 130 domestic and 35 international destinations.
The airport's high volume of passengers can be attributed to its efficient operations and award-winning service quality. MSP Airport has consistently ranked highly in customer satisfaction surveys, taking top honours in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program for seven out of the last eight years. The airport's staff were recognised as the best in North America by Skytrax in 2016, and its retail program was named the best of any large airport in the continent by Airports Council International-North America.
In addition to its operational efficiency and service quality, MSP Airport also boasts a strong safety record and excellent fiscal management. The airport's leadership has received accolades in various categories, including labour relations, legal oversight, snow and ice control, concessions, airport design and development, and marketing and communications.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission, which operates MSP Airport, is a self-funded public corporation that relies on rents and fees paid by airport users to fund its operations. Capital improvements are financed through a combination of Passenger Facilities Charges, aviation grants, bonding, and revenues generated through airport operations.
Overall, MSP Airport's ranking as the 18th busiest airport in North America is a testament to its efficient operations, high service quality, and strong management. The airport's ability to handle a large volume of passengers and aircraft operations while maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction and safety contributes to its reputation as one of the best airports in the region.
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MEA week
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is preparing for its busiest week of fall travel during the Minnesota Educators Association (MEA) break. MEA weekend is a four-day weekend for students across the state, and many families plan fall trips during this time. This year, the MEA break falls on October 19 and 20, with the preceding Wednesday and Thursday expected to be the busiest departure days.
On Thursday, October 19, airlines will hit their peak day of operations for MEA week, with 460 departures. This is a 12% increase in average daily departures compared to the previous year. Seat capacity on MSP flights is also up 18% this month compared to October 2022. To accommodate the high volume of passengers, MSP, its airlines, and partners are boosting staff to reduce wait times for check-in and security processes.
Travelers can expect both Wednesday and Thursday to be busy, with up to 46,000 people expected to check in and clear TSA checkpoints on those days. To make the process smoother, MSP offers helpful tips for travelers during MEA week. For Terminal 1, passengers should check the two checkpoint wait time boards upon entering the ticketing lobby. While both checkpoints provide access to all gates, the North Checkpoint often has shorter wait times. For Terminal 2 passengers, reserving a spot in the security line ahead of time through MSP Reserve is recommended.
Additionally, MSP's cell phone lot on Post Road is a free waiting area for motorists picking up arriving passengers. Motorists can wait in this lot until they receive a call from the arriving passenger, who has touched down and is ready to be picked up curbside at the terminal. Parking can also be booked ahead of time, but it must be done at least 12 hours in advance.
To celebrate MEA week, MSP has planned a series of passenger activities on the busiest days, including music performances, appearances by Paul Bunyan, pet duos, and interactive displays from the Science Museum of Minnesota.
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TSA security checkpoints
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is the 18th busiest US airport for passengers, serving more than 37 million travellers in 2024. It is also the 21st for aircraft operations, with more than 400,000 landings and takeoffs annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. As one of the busiest airports in the country, travellers are advised to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international travel to account for security processes.
During busy travel weeks, such as the MEA break, the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) that operates MSP increases staffing levels to reduce wait times for security processes. On such occasions, passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport even earlier than the standard recommended times.
To further ease the security process, passengers can reserve a spot in the security line for free through MSP Reserve. This service is available at the North Checkpoint in Terminal 1, where the wait times are often shorter compared to the South Checkpoint. The Skyway Security Checkpoint and the Hotel Security Checkpoint are currently closed.
Starting from 7 May 2025, a REAL ID or another approved form of identification will be required to clear TSA security checkpoints for domestic flights within the US. This initiative sets federal standards for state-issued IDs, including driver's licenses.
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Delta Air Lines hub
MSP Airport is ranked 18th busiest in North America in terms of the number of passengers served annually. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport handled an average of more than 400,000 landings and takeoffs per year. It is also the second-largest hub for Delta Air Lines, which is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and operates nine hubs across the United States. With its regional subsidiaries and contractors operating under the brand name Delta Connection, Delta offers over 5,400 flights daily, serving 290 to 325 destinations in 52 countries across six continents.
Delta's largest hub is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, serving the Southern and Eastern United States and acting as the main gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. Atlanta has been Delta's headquarters since 1941. The airline's secondary transatlantic hub is in Boston, offering services to Europe and North America. Detroit is one of two Midwest hubs for Delta, serving as the primary Asian gateway for the Eastern United States, along with services to the Americas and Europe. Los Angeles is Delta's secondary hub on the West Coast, while Seattle/Tacoma is the primary West Coast hub, providing an international gateway to Asia for the Western United States.
Delta's coastal hubs differ from its core hubs in their role within the airline's network. The airline's Network Planning team uses complex web planning and data to determine the routes it flies, focusing on creating seamless connections and critical pathways for global travel. This process can take between one to five years. The team collects customer data, which is then cross-referenced with the airline's resources, such as fleet size and crew availability, to find markets with stable customer demand. This allows Delta to optimise its resources throughout the year and cater to popular winter destinations during the peak summer travel season.
As the oldest operating airline in the United States, Delta has achieved numerous milestones throughout its history. It was the first airline to fly the Douglas DC-8, Convair 880 jets, and the McDonnell Douglas DC-9. By 1970, Delta had transitioned to an all-jet fleet. The airline has also been recognised for its innovation and customer service, ranking first in First/Business and Premium Economy Passenger Satisfaction by J.D. Power in 2024. Delta has also been named among Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies and Fortune's Best Places to Work.
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Frequently asked questions
MSP is the 18th busiest airport in the US for passengers and 21st for aircraft operations. It served more than 37 million travellers in 2024.
Thursdays are typically the busiest day of the week at MSP airport, with high volumes of passengers in ticketing lobbies and roadways for passenger drop-off and pick-up.
MEA week in the fall is one of the busiest times of year at MSP airport.
Security checkpoint wait times can change rapidly, but it is recommended that travellers arrive at MSP two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
The airport supports more than 86,900 jobs and generates an estimated $15.9 billion a year for the Twin Cities' economy.
