Ever wondered how Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport came to be? It all began in 1919 as Speedway Field. Several local groups united to control the bankrupt Twin City Speedway race track.
Let’s delve into the story of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. This joint civil-military public international airport serves the Twin Cities. It stands in Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory. Though not part of any city, it is near Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
The first hangar at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport was a wooden structure. It appeared in 1920 for airmail services. In 1923, the airport got a new name. It became Wold-Chamberlain Field. This honored World War I pilots Ernest Groves Wold and Cyrus Foss Chamberlain. In 1944, the name changed again. It became Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airport/Wold-Chamberlain Field. Four years later “International” replaced “Metropolitan”. Today, the Wold-Chamberlain part is rarely used.
Ground broke for the current Terminal 1 in 1958. Lyle George Landstrom designed this new terminal. It cost US$8.5 million. The New Terminal opened on January 21, 1962. Piers D and A were added later.
Terminal 2 came later. It was first built in 1986. It then rebuilt in 2001. It mainly serves charter and low-cost airlines.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines. It is also the home airport for Sun Country Airlines and Endeavor Air. Delta and its affiliates handle about 70% of the airport’s traffic. The Metropolitan Airports Commission operates Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. It also manages six smaller airports nearby.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 has 117 gates. These span seven concourses lettered A through G. Terminal 2 features 14 gates. These are all in concourse H. You can find international arrivals processed in Concourse G in Terminal 1. They are also processed in Terminal 2.
Interesting fact. The two terminals are about a mile apart. They use separate exits off Minnesota State Highway 5. This can confuse drivers. Taking the wrong exit can delay you.
Did you know that Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport has its own military facilities? The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Joint Air Reserve Station supports Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard.
In 2023, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport received recognition. Analytics company Cirium called it the world’s most punctual international airport. Impressive.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport generates about $15.9 billion a year for the Twin Cities’ economy. The airport supports 87000 workers.
The story of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport reflects the growth of aviation. From a speedway to a major international airport, it connects the Twin Cities to the world.