MSP generates $3.3 billion in annual tax revenues
Air travel and air freight are vital to the Twin Cities metro region’s dynamic and resilient economy. They enable people to visit new places and businesses to ship and receive goods quickly. Thanks to recent and upcoming investments at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and the region’s six public general aviation airports, those opportunities are growing.
.jpg.aspx?lang=en-US&width=350&height=233 "The MAC recently completed a transformation of the interior of Terminal 1, adding space and modernizing ticketing, baggage claim, and more. (Metropolitan Airports Commission photo)")
Over the next three years, the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) plans to spend nearly $2 billion on improvements to the region’s public airport system. “It’s the largest airport system in the U.S.,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the MAC, at a January Metropolitan Council meeting. “It’s a great system, it works really well.”
The MAC owns and operates MSP and the general aviation airports. The Met Council sets regional aviation policy and reviews MAC plans, including capital investments, for those airports. In January, the Met Council reviewed the MAC’s 2026-2032 Capital Improvement Program, finding it consistent with regional aviation policy.
Improving the customer experience at MSP
As the 17th busiest commercial airport in the U.S. based on passengers, MSP served more than 36 million passengers in 2025. A wide range of recently completed, ongoing, and planned projects throughout the airport are designed to improve passenger experiences:
- Terminal 1. Built in 1963, Terminal 1 has been “completely transformed,” according to Ryks, with more space and modernized updates for ticketing, baggage claim, restrooms, concessions, lighting, and more.
- Terminal 2. A 168,000-square-foot expansion to the north is underway, with more gates, seating, concessions, and other amenities planned. Further expansion to the south is envisioned as a future improvement phase to bring even more gates, concessions and other passenger amenities.
- Modernization. From technologies using biometrics and facial recognition to customer-friendly applications to structural improvements throughout many of the concourses, the operational side of the airport has received significant upgrades as well.
Ryks added that there are many more opportunities for expansion at MSP in the future. MSP’s long-term plan identified potential new projects including roadway improvements at both terminals, more aircraft parking, more secure access between terminals, expanded freight handling facilities, and more technological advancements to improve operations for both travelers and airport staff.
The MAC’s plans align with the goal in Imagine 2050, the Met Council’s regional development guide, of a dynamic and resilient economy. The MAC recently released an economic impact study that showed MSP Airport:
- Produces about $21.3 billion in annual economic output.
- Generates about $3.3 billion in annual tax revenues.
- Impacts about 93,000 jobs, including 24,300 directly at the airport.
“We have the potential to expand [at MSP] for a number of years yet,” Ryks said, “and we will continue to work towards that.”
Imagine 2050 includes an aviation policy plan that offers a shared vision and policies for managing growth and development of the airport system over the next 30 years. The Met Council approved the 2050 aviation plan in January.
General aviation airports reduce air traffic congestion at MSP, serve other needs
The MAC manages six regional general aviation airports, also known as reliever airports, that serve business and recreation needs and help reduce air traffic congestion at MSP. The MAC partners with the Met Council and others to create and approve comprehensive long-term plans for each airport, outlining capital investments, environmental assessments, technological advancements, and more. Ryks noted that each reliever airport – Airlake Airport in Lakeville, Anoka County-Blaine Airport, Crystal Airport, Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, Lake Elmo Airport, and St. Paul Downtown Airport – has a long-range plan in place, with several updates underway.
Sun Country/Allegiant merger will bring big changes, opportunities
Allegiant Air recently acquired Sun Country Airlines, ending the region’s nearly 100-year history as home base for a major U.S. airline (Delta acquired Northwest Airlines in 2009). Even though Las Vegas will be home for the headquarters of the new combined airline, the Twin Cities is expected to be Allegiant’s largest hub and will continue to house maintenance tasks locally, Ryks said.
Allegiant’s fleet of aircraft is nearly three times larger than Sun Country’s fleet, so customers will gain more flight options to more destinations. Ryks added that the CEOs from both Sun Country and Allegiant have expressed optimism about what the merger means for the future of the Twin Cities region, including for the economy and for residents.
Partnership pushes excellence at MSP, regional airports
.jpg.aspx?lang=en-US&width=300&height=353 "Airport Foundation MSP runs an Animal Ambassador program to help travelers relax and feel at home. (Metropolitan Airports Commission photo)")
For the third time in four years, MSP ranked highest in customer satisfaction in winning the J.D. Power award for best mega-airport in North America. Ryks credited the high annual ranking to:
- Continuing, unprecedented capital investments.
- The world’s only airport foundation, which supports arts and culture, an animal ambassador program, travelers’ assistance, and other programming to provide an outstanding customer experience.
- Sustainability features.
- Accessibility features driven by engagement with the populations that use them.
The long-time partnership between the MAC and Met Council has evolved into a model for regional coordination – ensuring airport expansion, transit connections, and land use planning move in lockstep.
“I think the Met Council and MAC are in parallel, being regional governing bodies with shared ideas and commitments to the economic development of the region,” said Met Council member Anjuli Cameron, who also serves as the Met Council representative on the MAC. “I appreciate the efforts of the MAC in being responsive for travelers and our communities, especially during challenging times.”