New investments support improved services, passenger experiences and business opportunities
by Jeff Lea
In an industry where flights and top performance are measured down to the second, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) edged out a lengthy list of worldwide competitors to win the Cirium 2023 On-Time Performance Review’s top global airport and large airport awards.
MSP is only the second U.S. airport to win the Cirium global award, which was announced just days into 2024. For 15 years, the Cirium On-Time Performance program has monitored global airline and airport operational performance from over 600 real-time information sources.
The feat is even more impressive given that MSP’s operational efficiency is annually challenged by Minnesota’s well-known winter weather, the likes of which few other global competitors face. It also came during a year when MSP grew passenger traffic 11% over the previous year, serving more than 34.7 million flyers. Last year, MSP’s total operations (airline, cargo, general aviation and other) grew 4.4% to 323,929, highlighting once again the importance of MSP as one of the nation’s top transportation hubs that supports travel and commerce connections across Minnesota and surrounding states.
As the 18th busiest airport in the nation, MSP has the highest profile among the seven airports owned and operated in the Twin Cities by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). Together, these airports provide an essential network for air transportation in the Upper Midwest.
The other six airports operated by the MAC are general aviation airports that encircle MSP within a 30-mile radius: Airlake Airport (LVN), Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE), Crystal Airport (MIC), Flying Cloud Airport (FCM), Lake Elmo Airport (21D) and St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP). While commonly referred to as relievers since they relieve congestion at MSP, the airports provide a base for nearly 1,250 aircraft and are part of a valuable community of businesses that support on-demand flights, charter services, flight training, medical services, aircraft maintenance and more. In 2023, operations at the MAC’s reliever airports increased by 8.3%, supporting 370,509 aircraft operations.
Despite the challenges that often come with rapid growth, the MAC and its airports are poised for success. In addition to the Cirium recognition, MSP was named the No. 1 U.S. airport in the 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and has been named the best airport in North America by the Airports Council International for seven out of eight years.
“These accolades are a reflection of our many partners across the airport community who are focused on delivering best-in-class service, creating accessible facilities, offering a refreshing mix of goods and services, and — most of all — providing exceptional airport experiences for our travelers,” said Brian Ryks, CEO and executive director of the MAC.
The MAC’s purpose is to provide exceptional airport experiences so Minnesota thrives, with a key focus on positioning itself for changes in the aviation industry. With commercial air travel accelerating and strong tailwinds continuing to fuel growth across the general aviation landscape, the MAC has driven significant investments at MSP and its reliever airports to meet demand and grow its economic impact.
“At its core, the MAC aims to connect the Twin Cities region to the world, all while using a sustainable business model that provides the best customer experience possible, no matter how or why that customer is visiting our airports,” said Rick King, chair of the MAC.
Investments support system-wide growth
New and evolving facilities will continue to support the passenger experience that system users have come to expect. This summer, the MAC embarked on a major expansion project to add more gates, concessions and restrooms in MSP’s Terminal 2, where Sun Country Airlines’ operations have grown extensively in the past few years.
Delta Air Lines operates its second biggest U.S. hub from six of the seven concourses in Terminal 1. Delta and the MAC are partnering on the largest interior renovation in the terminal’s history. Once completed in 2025, the $242 million project will transform concourse corridors and 75 gate areas where Delta operates.
The transformation of Terminal 1 concourses began a few years ago when the MAC expanded Concourse G between gates G17 and G22, featuring terrazzo flooring, more spacious gate seating, more restaurants and new restrooms. Delta added a third Delta Sky Club in that area. The same look and feel will extend to additional gates when the next expansion phase on Concourse G begins later this year.
The 2023 growth across the MAC’s reliever airports has been supported by an intentional, long-term development strategy. In the past five years, the MAC invested more than $50 million in safety and modernization projects, including new runways at Crystal and Lake Elmo airports. Another $30 million in capital improvements are underway this year for projects such as runway reconstruction, pavement rehabilitation, new lighting and improved navigation aids.
“Our airports have experienced growth and energy as the general aviation sector continues to build momentum across Minnesota,” said Joe Harris, director of reliever airports for the MAC. “The increased demand has been steady and durable, anchored by ever safer and more efficient airfields and facilities.”
The MAC’s continued investments and upgrades, in turn, have attracted heavy private investments. There’s been a flurry of recent hangar construction and a growing waitlist to build or secure leases at existing hangars. The MAC took ownership for retail fueling at Crystal a few years ago. Eight fixed-base operators provide fuel, aircraft and pilot services across the rest of the system.
Through these investments, the MAC is attracting aviation businesses that create jobs and opportunities in its airport communities. Here’s a look at a few tenants and their recent successes.
FIXED-WING FLIGHT TRAINING
Flight training at Flying Cloud Airport prepares students for real-world flying
Demand for local flight training at Inflight Pilot Training at Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) has surged since the pandemic, according to owner Trever Rossini. Founded in 2008, the flight school provides training programs for private and commercial pilots.
As would-be pilots had more flexibility to work from home over the past four years, Rossini said more people are completing training programs and flight hours during the workday. Increased traffic at the airport also brings more realistic training opportunities — students practice on three runways with a control tower. It’s an advantage for hobbyists, who often train at more rural airports, and future commercial pilots, who need experience navigating high-traffic airports.
“It’s the perfect training airport because it prepares our students for real-world flying,” Rossini said.
“Having a high-caliber local flight training program during the national pilot shortage is a benefit for the region and aviation industry, too. Many of the commercial pilots completing training at Inflight go on to fill roles at Delta Air Lines, Sun Country and other major carriers at MSP.”
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE
Local shop offers trusted aircraft repairs at ANE
Horizon Aircraft Engine Services, Inc. operates a full-service aircraft engine repair and maintenance shop at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE). A team of 10 full-time mechanics provides engine services for a variety of aircraft users — from private pilots and charter businesses to aerobatic pilots. A maintenance provider for more than
40 years, Horizon is a critical part of the Twin Cities aviation community. Owner Kevin Dunrud said they’ve seen a huge increase in business over the past few years due to growth in pilot training and hobby aircraft owners.
“More airplanes that have not been flown in a number of years are being refurbished and are back in the skies,” Dunrud said.
The shop’s decades-long reputation within the aviation community keeps business growing. Customers like that Horizon’s staff know them by name and understand their flying backgrounds. The busy airport is also a draw because it’s accessible for customers and Horizon mechanics often work on planes based on the airport.
“Being at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport is a big convenience for our customers,” he said.
PRIVATE CHARTER AND AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT
STP relocation drives growth for charter business
For Best Jets International — a private jet charter service and aircraft management company — more room at the St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP) means more business. While based at MSP, Best Jets’ private and corporate aircraft provided exceptional individualized service and convenience that rivaled the best commercial service options. However, the operation lacked room to grow.
In 2018, the company built two 19,400-square-foot hangars and its own fueling station at STP, and aircraft operations have grown steadily since then. Interest surged during the pandemic as some travelers preferred the safety and security of flying with fewer passengers, according to Executive Vice President Larry Gregg. Though many travelers have since returned to commercial business class, Best Jets remains busy — from private flights and aircraft management for individuals to providing a backup fleet for corporate users. Today, Best Jets employs 110 employees, up from 29 before it relocated to STP.
“Each business is a cog in the wheel of this air transportation system,” Gregg said of the MAC’s reliever system and its tenants. “For just one hour of flight time, it takes a number of people to operate the various functions related to our operations: pilots, maintenance, air traffic, scheduling, accounting — we are creating new jobs that didn’t exist before we relocated.”
Photo Courtesy of the Metropolitan Airports Commission
About the MAC
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) owns and operates one of the nation’s largest airport systems, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six general aviation airports. The MAC’s airports connect the region to the world and showcase Minnesota’s extraordinary culture to millions of passengers from around the globe who arrive or depart through them each year. Though a public corporation of the state of Minnesota, the organization is not funded by income or property taxes. Instead, the MAC’s operations are funded by rents and fees generated by users of its airports. The MAC is led by a 15-member policymaking board. Thirteen of the members are appointed by the Minnesota governor. The mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis each appoint a member as well.