Average domestic air fares at MSP in the third quarter of 2009 fell 31.9 percent, year-over-over year, the second largest drop in the nation. Nationally, the federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that domestic air fares declined by 14.4 percent from the third quarter of 2008, marking the largest ever year-over-year decline.
“The launch of Southwest Airlines service at MSP in March 2009 and that airline’s subsequent expansion here was no doubt a major factor in the dramatic drop in prices locally," said Metropolitan Airports Commission Executive Director Jeff Hamiel. "There are a lot of great deals available for families taking a trip or frequent fliers trying to drum up new business for their company.”