MSP is not part of any city but is nestled among several. The airport is surrounded by Minneapolis, St. Paul and the suburban cities of Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights and Richfield.
MSP has one airfield with four runways and two terminal buildings - Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 - each with adjoining parking ramp facilities. Travelers who need to transfer from one terminal to the other use the light rail transit service. There is no pedestrian access between the buildings.
The airport is managed and run by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), a public corporation established in 1943 by the Minnesota State legislature to provide for coordinated aviation services throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
VIDEO: MSP Airport: Creating Momentum for Economic Growth
MSP Ranking and Awards
The airport's 3,400 acres arguably comprise the most valuable economic generator between the St. Croix River and Seattle, supporting more than 86,900 jobs, $15.9 billion in business revenue, $3.7 billion in personal income, $2.5 billion in local purchases, and $546 million in state and local taxes. For more information review our 2016 Economic Impact Study.
MSP is the 19th busiest U.S. airport for passengers and 21st for aircraft operations. It's also a base for hometown carrier Sun Country Airlines and Delta Air Lines' second largest hub.
The airport and its leadership have received various awards in numerous categories, including safety, fiscal management, labor relations, legal oversight, snow and ice control, concessions, airport design and development, and marketing and communications.
Most recently, MSP was named the 2017 top North American airport for efficiency excellence in its size category by the Air Transportation Research Society. The airport's retail program was also recently recognized as the best of any large airport in North America by Airports Council International-North America, and Skytrax named MSP's staff as the best in North America in 2016.
Funding
The Metropolitan Airports Commission is a self-funded public corporation, using rents and fees paid by airport users, not general tax dollars, to fund operations. Capital improvements are funded through Passenger Facilities Charges, aviation grants, bonding and revenues generated through airport operations.
Strategic Planning
The Metropolitan Airports Commission's strategic plan includes our purpose statement, our four foundational values and five focus areas that reflect current industry, social, economic and regional trends.
Operations
On average, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 400,000 landings and takeoffs (aircraft operations) occurred at MSP every year. Those numbers are recovering. Most operations occur during daytime hours. However, to accommodate cargo business and flight schedule changes, some overnight operations are necessary.
| Year | Operations |
| 2023 | 323,929 |
| 2022 | 310,235 |
| 2021 | 303,850 |
| 2020 | 244,827 |
| 2019 | 406,076 |
| 2018 | 407,476 |
| 2017 | 416,213 |
| 2016 | 413,279 |
| 2015 | 404,612 |
| 2014 | 412,586 |
| 2013 | 431,418 |
| 2012 | 425,332 |
| 2011 | 436,506 |
| 2010 | 437,075 |
| 2009 | 432,704 |
Visit the Metro Airports website to view detailed passenger and operations reports.
Passengers
MSP served more than 31 million travelers in 2022 making it 19th busiest in North America in terms of the number of passengers served annually.
| Year | Passengers |
| 2023 | 34,770,800 |
| 2022 | 31,241,822 |
| 2021 | 25,202,120 |
| 2020 | 14,851,289 |
| 2019 | 39,555,035 |
| 2018 | 38,037,381 |
| 2017 | 38,034,341 |
| 2016 | 37,505,521 |
| 2015 | 36,582,851 |
| 2014 | 35,163,190 |
| 2013 | 33,897,335 |
| 2012 | 33,170,960 |
| 2011 | 33,118,499 |
| 2010 | 32,565,763 |
| 2009 | 32,379,195 |
For even more passenger data, please visit the Metro Airports website.
MSP By-the-Numbers
Numbers tell a great deal about MSP:
- Terminal 1 gates: 104
- Terminal 2 gates: 14
- Nonstop markets served: 163, including 136 domestic and 27 international markets.
- Cost to airlines per enplaned passenger: $6.32. MSP's 2016 estimated cost to airlines per enplaned passenger ranks among the lower third of large hub airports.
- Originating passengers: 60%
- Connecting passengers: 40%