Key Highlights
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Minnesota has many public airports. You can find everything from a big international airport to smaller local fields.
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Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is the main airport for the state. It helps people travel within the United States and to other countries.
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Regional airports like Duluth International give easy service, with commercial airlines flying to key places.
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The state has over 600 airports. This helps the general aviation group stay strong.
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The Metropolitan Airports Commission takes care of the major airports in the Twin Cities.
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In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, you will also see many special airfields. This includes lots of seaplane bases.
Introduction
Welcome to your must-have airport guide for Minnesota! The aviation network in this state is bigger than many people in the United States might know. It brings together people and places from the Upper Midwest and out across the whole country. You may fly into the busy main airport, choose a smaller airport for a fast trip, or fly your own plane. No matter what you want, airports in Minnesota are ready for you. This guide will help you learn about the main airports—both big international stops and small, friendly airfields. These places all help make flying in Minnesota something special.
Comprehensive Guide to Minnesota Airports
Minnesota has a list of airports to help every traveler get where they need to go. The state is home to one major international airport. This airport helps people travel all across the world. There are also other airports in Minnesota. These airports let you fly with big commercial airlines. All of these airports are important for the country’s travel system.
Each airport in this list of airports is managed by groups like the Federal Aviation Administration. The airports are part of what is called the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. This means they all have to keep high marks for safety and how well they run. So, if you plan to fly in or out of Minnesota, let’s take a look at the most important airports in the state.
1. Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is the busiest international airport in Minnesota. It is the main spot for flights in the Twin Cities and all of the Upper Midwest. The airport sits right between Minneapolis and St. Paul. People say it is one of the nicest airports around because it is clean and taken care of well. If you are coming in or out on international flights, this is the main airport for those international arrivals.
There are big airlines at MSP, including Delta Air Lines. You can fly to lots of places across the world from here. The Metropolitan Airports Commission runs this airport and they work to make sure you have a good trip. While you wait for your flight, you can check out lots of different shops and places to eat.
For anyone flying for work, the airport has a nice conference center for meetings. The place has modern spaces, plus cafes where you can put in your order using a tablet at your table. No matter if you are starting your travels here or just going through, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport tries to give you a good and easy travel experience.
2. Duluth International Airport (DLH)
Duluth International Airport (DLH) is the international airport you can use to head out from the north of the state. The airport gives you nonstop service to big city hubs. This makes it easy for you to go almost anywhere in the world. DLH is important for people taking trips for work or fun, and also for general aviation pilots.
You can get up and fly each day from DLH on two major airlines. Delta takes you straight to Minneapolis/St. Paul. United Express flies direct to Chicago. If you want to get away to a warmer place, Sun Country gives you nonstop flights to Fort Myers during some seasons. These flights help you compare different prices and pick what works best for your time and plans.
The airport authority works hard to make the trip nice for everybody. Before you go on your flight, you can stop for some local craft beer and good food at the Arrowhead Tap House. With a strong concrete surface runway and staff set on helping people, Duluth International Airport does what it can to fit into how you travel.
3. Rochester International Airport (RST)
Rochester International Airport (RST) is an important international airport in Minnesota. It serves the southern part of the state. It helps connect people in the area to places all over the country and other countries too. Many people use the airport because it often offers nonstop service.
People flying from these airports can find a mix of commercial airlines. You can find big names like American Airlines and there are also cheaper choices such as Allegiant Air. Because of this, travelers have more options for business or vacation trips. This also helps the local economy and lets people travel in a way that works best for them.
Every airport is a bit different, but the goal is the same—to make flying safe and easy for people. Whether you need nonstop service for a vacation or a business trip, airports like Rochester International are a key part of how people get around in Minnesota.
4. St. Cloud Regional Airport (STC)
St. Cloud Regional Airport (STC) is a municipal airport. It serves the central part of Minnesota. The airport helps connect small cities to bigger air travel networks. It also helps local business and jobs in the area. The airport authority takes care of the airport grounds and makes sure the airport works well for everyone who uses it.
Big airports get most of the people flying, but regional airports are still very important. These airports let in private planes, charter flights, and even a few commercial routes. Accessibility matters at these places too. Many connect to public transit, so people can get to and from the airport more easily.
The list of airports in Minnesota has many others like this one. They are municipal or regional airfields. Every local airport authority looks after its own area. Together, they build a strong system for flying. This makes it possible for people in almost all parts of Minnesota to travel by air.
5. Bemidji Regional Airport (BJI)
Bemidji Regional Airport (BJI) is one of the smaller airports in Minnesota. It helps support general aviation in the area. People with private planes and small aircraft use it a lot. Keeping the airport running well is important to keep everyone safe when they come here.
Across Minnesota, many of the smaller airports have strong buildings and good runways. Most use a concrete surface that lets them handle many kinds of planes. Some airports even have national guard units based there, so they help the whole country stay safe too.
These smaller airports help connect the towns and cities that are spread out in the state. They make business travel possible, give people a way to get to the hospital fast, and let people fly for fun. Because of this, they are a big part of Minnesota’s travel system and help support the people who live there.
Exploring Regional and General Aviation Airports in Minnesota
Besides the big business centers, there are 693 smaller airports in Minnesota that focus on general aviation. These airports be important for private pilots. People use them for flight training and business trips all through the calendar year. You can check out a map with all these airports in the online [Minnesota airport directory](Minnesota airport directory).
Every one of these smaller airports has an FAA LID, which is a special code. They help people in their own local areas in many ways. The airports offer things like self-serve fuel and nice places for pilots to rest. These airports are easy to use and have friendly service. That is why people in the general aviation community really like them.
Notable smaller airports across Minnesota
Minnesota has many good smaller airports, and a lot of pilots really like these places for their nice facilities and friendly feel. These airports are found in towns from Thief River Falls to Fergus Falls, and from Grand Rapids to Grand Marais. They help people living there, and those coming to visit, get in and out of the area with ease. If you look at a complete list of airports in Minnesota, you will find many of these great little spots.
These smaller airports do more than help you land or take off. They have become important parts of their towns. Pilots go there to fill up on fuel, take a break, and get ready for where they will go next. A lot of comments from users say the facilities are very good.
Here are some smaller airports often talked about by the aviation community:
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Worthington Municipal Airport (OTG): It has a modern terminal, and you can buy fuel with a credit card at a self-serve pump.
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Rushford Municipal Airport – Robert W Bunke Field (5Y6): This is called a “best kept secret” and people say it has one of the top pilot lounges in Minnesota.
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Anoka County-Blaine (Janes Field) Airport (ANE): People like the great service at this municipal airport. Hangar space and fuel have fair prices.
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Baudette International Airport (BDE): This is a good spot and is easy for pilots to stop
Seaplane bases and specialty airfields
Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so it makes sense that the state has a strong group of people who love to fly seaplanes. The area has many specialty airfields and there are a lot of seaplane bases made for planes that land on water. These places are a big part of the state’s general aviation airports.
A seaplane base is different from regular airports. The runway here is not pavement. It is water. You will find these bases on lakes and rivers all over the state. This gives pilots a way to get to beautiful and faraway spots. The elevation for each seaplane base is measured in feet over mean sea level, just like any airport.
A lot of these places are great for people who fly for fun. Here are some well-known seaplane bases:
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Sky Harbor Airport and Seaplane Base (DYT): You will find this one in Duluth. This is where everyday dreams can take flight.
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Moberg Air Base Seaplane Base (96M): This one has a marked water runway only for seaplanes.
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Fudpucker International Seaplane Base: This is a friendly and fun place for pilots who are visiting.
You can see how the seaplane base is an important part of general aviation in Minnesota, giving people flying new ways to use lakes and rivers.
Conclusion
In the end, getting around Minnesota’s airports can make your trip much better. There are many options, like the busy Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and smaller airports in places like Rochester and Bemidji. So, no matter who you are, you can find the one that fits you best. If you know what facilities and services each airport has, your trip will be smoother and more fun. It does not matter if you come for work or just to relax—knowing how each airport works can help you plan well and use your time better. If you want to fly in Minnesota and use the international airport or the Saint Paul International Airport, read our guide first. It has what you need to know to travel with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public airports are there in Minnesota?
Minnesota has 693 public airports, heliports, and seaplane bases. The Federal Aviation Administration keeps track of all of these places. You can look through the full list using the minnesota airport directory. This big network shows there is a lot of flight activity in Minnesota during the calendar year.
Which Minnesota airports offer commercial airline service?
There are several airports in Minnesota that offer commercial airline service. The largest is Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). This international airport is served by many airlines from around the world. Duluth International Airport (DLH) is also a key airport. It gives people nonstop service to important places through commercial airlines like Delta, United, and Sun Country.
What is the role of the Metropolitan Airports Commission in Minnesota?
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is an airport authority in Minnesota. It is a big part of the aviation safety network here. The group looks after Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and other reliever airports in the Twin Cities. MAC takes care of all airport operations. This means they manage the terminals and the airport grounds.