Owais Crawford
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is one of the largest airports in the US and a key airline hub. It is centrally located within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The airport is managed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which also operates six smaller regional facilities within the region. Delta Air Lines is the largest carrier at MSP, controlling about 58% of passenger traffic at the airport. The airport is also the principal hub for Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport |
| IATA | MSP |
| ICAO | KMSP |
| FAA LID | MSP |
| Location | Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, Minnesota |
| Distance from downtown Minneapolis | 10 miles |
| Distance from downtown Saint Paul | 10 miles |
| Airlines | Delta Air Lines, Sun Country Airlines, Endeavor Air, SkyWest, Southwest Airlines |
| Major hub for | Delta Air Lines |
| Operator | Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) |
| Number of runways | 2 paved, 1 turf |
| Annual passenger traffic | 87,000 workers |
| Yearly revenue | $15.9 billion |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Area | 2,930 acres |
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What You'll Learn
- Delta Air Lines is the largest carrier at Minneapolis Airport
- Sun Country Airlines is headquartered in Minneapolis
- Minneapolis Airport is one of the nation's largest airports
- The airport is managed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission
- The airport is also used by the US Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard
Delta Air Lines is the largest carrier at Minneapolis Airport
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is one of the largest airports in the US and a key airline hub. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. The airport is managed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which also operates six smaller regional facilities within the region.
The airport is also the home base for Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. Sun Country Airlines has a historic market presence in the Minneapolis area and caters to the low-cost market. Southwest Airlines, which operates out of Terminal 2, controls a similar portion of the market.
Minneapolis Airport is a busy facility, generating an estimated $15.9 billion annually for the Twin Cities' economy and supporting 87,000 workers. It is the busiest airport in the Upper Midwest, offering a variety of domestic and international flights.
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Sun Country Airlines is headquartered in Minneapolis
Sun Country Airlines has had a turbulent financial history, filing for bankruptcy in 2008 and again in 2011. The airline was bought out of bankruptcy by the Davis family, who own a Minnesota-based company. Under their ownership, the airline expanded its cargo operations, partnering with Amazon Air. In 2019, Amazon Air bought a minority stake in the airline, and Sun Country began operating cargo flights for the company.
As of March 2025, Sun Country Airlines operates 44 passenger aircraft and 20 freighters, serving about 100 airports and employing over 3,000 people, predominantly based in Minnesota. The airline is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and has partnered with local organizations such as Make-A-Wish Minnesota. Sun Country Airlines also hosts an annual "Flight to the North Pole" event in December and has sponsored various initiatives, such as the Tropics Trail at the Minnesota Zoo.
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$19.9
Minneapolis Airport is one of the nation's largest airports
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is one of the nation's largest airports. It is a joint civil-military public international airport serving the Twin Cities in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The airport is centrally located and is easily accessible via several major highways, including Minnesota State Highways 5, 62, and 77, as well as Interstate 494.
MSP covers a substantial 2,930 acres of land and boasts two terminals with a total of 131 gates. Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) is the larger of the two, with 117 gates across seven concourses, while Terminal 2 (Humphrey) has 14 gates across one concourse. The terminals are about a mile apart and are accessible via the Blue Line, a light rail route operated by Metro Transit, the region's public transportation provider. This service is free for passengers travelling between terminals and operates all day, making it convenient for passengers to navigate the expansive airport.
MSP is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which accounts for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic. It also serves as the home airport for Minnesota-based airlines Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary. In addition to commercial flights, the airport supports various operations, including several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard units, such as the 934th Airlift Wing and the 133rd Airlift Wing.
The airport has a long history, dating back to 1919 when it was known as Speedway Field. Over the decades, it underwent numerous expansions and renovations, with Terminal 1's construction beginning in 1958 and the most recent terminal expansion completed in 2002. Today, MSP is recognised for its modern facilities and punctuality, having been ranked highly in traveller satisfaction surveys and for its on-time departure and arrival rates.
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The airport is managed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is managed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). The MAC is responsible for the operation of the airport, including managing air traffic in the region surrounding Minneapolis and St. Paul. In addition to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, the MAC also operates six smaller regional facilities within the region, also known as reliever airports. These include Crystal Airport, Flying Cloud, Lake Elmo Airport, Airlake Airport, and Anoka County-Blaine Airport. The MAC's seven-airport system plays a vital role in the community, stimulating economic growth and providing essential air transportation services.
The MAC's reliever airports are located within 35 miles of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and serve corporate aircraft and recreational fliers. These airports help to manage air traffic by attracting flights that would otherwise go to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. The MAC encourages corporate and general aviation pilots to use these reliever airports whenever possible to help manage traffic flow and ensure efficient operations at the main international airport.
Crystal Airport, for example, is located adjacent to Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. It has two paved and one turf runway, along with three non-precision instrument approaches. Flying Cloud, situated just 10 miles south of Minneapolis, is the busiest airport in the MAC's reliever airport system, accommodating over 100,000 takeoffs and landings annually. It is a popular choice for corporate jets and flight schools due to its proximity to the St. Paul business district and scenic destinations along the St. Croix River.
Lake Elmo Airport, on the other hand, offers convenience for both business and leisure travellers. It provides easy access not only to the St. Paul business district but also to desirable locations like Stillwater, Minnesota, and Hudson, Wisconsin. The MAC recognises the importance of these reliever airports in supporting the main international airport and continually reviews rates and charges to ensure their optimal utilisation.
Overall, the Metropolitan Airports Commission plays a crucial role in managing not just Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport but also the surrounding air traffic in the region. By effectively overseeing the operations of the main international airport and the six smaller regional facilities, the MAC ensures the efficient and safe flow of air traffic, contributing to the economic prosperity and connectivity of Minneapolis and the broader region.
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The airport is also used by the US Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, also known as MSP, is a joint civil-military public international airport. It is located in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, within 10 miles of downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul. The airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, Sun Country Airlines, and Endeavor Air, but it also has a significant military presence.
The airport is home to several United States Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard operations. The Minnesota Air National Guard (MN ANG) is the aerial militia of the state of Minnesota and is a reserve of the United States Air Force. It has two main bases in the state, located in Duluth and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The MN ANG is not part of the regular USAF chain of command and is instead under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Minnesota, unless federalized by order of the President.
The 934th Airlift Wing (934 AW), also known as the "Flying Vikings," is a unit of the United States Air Force Reserve based at the airport. They fly the C-130 Hercules aircraft and consist of over 1,300 military personnel, including full-time Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) and Air Reserve Technician (ART) personnel. The 934 AW serves as the "host wing" for the installation, providing support services for active, reserve, and retired military personnel and their families.
The Minnesota Air National Guard has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century. The 109th Squadron, formed in 1920, was the first National Guard flying unit to achieve federal recognition after World War I. The unit was later redesignated as the 109th Observation Squadron in 1923. In the 1950s and early 1960s, the 109th Fighter Interceptor Squadron provided active air defense commitments, and members of the Minnesota Air National Guard were mobilized during the Berlin Crisis, serving in federal active service for 11 months.
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Frequently asked questions
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is served by several major American and international airlines. Delta Air Lines is the largest carrier at the airport, controlling about 58% of passenger traffic. Other airlines include Sun Country Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary.
The airport code for Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is MSP.
Minneapolis Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is named after aviator Charles Lindbergh, and Terminal 2 is named after vice president Hubert Humphrey.
Passengers can travel between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 via the free Light Rail Transit (LRT) service, which runs seven days a week. During peak times, trains arrive approximately every 10 minutes, and every 10 to 15 minutes at other times.
There are several other airports in the region that are managed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), including Crystal Airport, Flying Cloud Airport, Lake Elmo Airport, and Airlake Airport. These airports are within 35 miles of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.
