MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minnesota — The six general aviation airports operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) collectively grew operations in 2020 by 2% to total 326,044, or 6,381 more takeoffs and landings than in 2019.
The increase bucks the trend of U.S. commercial airports, which suffered steep declines in activity last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International (KMSP) reported a 40% decline in operations and a 62% decline in passengers in 2020.
Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM) located in Eden Prairie, and Airlake Airport (KLVN) located in Lakeville, drove the operations increase in the MAC reliever airport system. Operations at KFCM were up 19%, nearly 20,000 operations, over 2019. KLVN activity increased by 5% over 2019, with nearly 1,500 additional operations in 2020.
Flying Cloud set some new daily operations records in 2020. On May 12, KFCM was the 13th busiest airport in the country (commercial or general aviation), and on June 19, KFCM marked its eighth busiest day of the past decade with more than 750 flights, according to commission officials.
“While the pandemic forced steep declines in corporate travel and business jet activity, it appeared to open up opportunities for more flight training activities and leisure flying in general,” said Joe Harris, director of reliever airports for the MAC. “People had more time to fly. And for many, it was a great way to get outdoors and see the sights from a safe social distance.”
One of the catalysts for the increase in operations at KFCM was the temporary closure of many universities. Students enrolled in aviation programs around the United States returned home to the Twin Cities to continue their instruction at one of the many flight schools located at the MAC’s system of reliever airports, officials reported.
St. Paul Downtown Airport (KSTP), which serves more corporate flying activity, recorded a 26% decrease in operations. KSTP operations were also limited by reduced air traffic tower hours, also due to the pandemic.
The MAC’s three remaining reliever airports — Lake Elmo (21D), Anoka County-Blaine (KANE), and Crystal (KMIC) — each saw a less than 5% decrease in operations, with KANE down only 1%.
“As the last year demonstrated, there’s a strong demand across our general aviation system. That’s why it’s so important we continue to invest in infrastructure to make the airports as safe and efficient as possible,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the MAC. “We completed a major runway extension and airfield reconfiguration project at Crystal in 2020, and this year we’ll complete a major phase in a $5 million airfield project at Lake Elmo to extend the runway and a parallel taxiway that will incorporate the latest safety measures to support activities there.”
The Lake Elmo project is less than half of the $11.5 million the MAC has budgeted for capital improvements at its general aviation airports in 2021. Aviation demand is also spurring private investment, with more than a dozen hangars completed or under construction in the last year.
The MAC’s reliever airport system generates an estimated $756 million a year for the area economy and supports more than 3,600 jobs.
The gains made in GA over the last four years will evaporate quickly over the next four years. And Minnesota had a big part in that. you get what you vote for.
Please elaborate Doug –without a political bend. I’m curious to read about your prognosis and the reasoning behind hit.
quite frankly, if you don’t get it, you never will. It will be interesting to see if my prognosis ends up being a prophecy.
So, as JP guessed, Doug is talking out of his ass.
And Gary is once again (as always) talking out of his Liberal Basement. Have your mask on Gary? Enjoying that extra unemployment insurance? Or are you a teacher sucking on tax payers without working? I know you fit in there somewhere….lol
I think you dream of a 3some with Obama and Biden. Don’t forget the masks….
How about some factual evidence instead of overheated rhetoric? Economists Alan Blinder and Mark Watson have shown that since World War II GDP growth under Democratic Presidents has averaged 4.4% a year while under Republican Presidents it has averaged only 2.5%. At those rates, over thirty years your $50,000 income compounds up to $105,000 under Republicans, $182,000 under Democrats — 73% higher. These are facts, not opinions.
Hey, it’s Gary’s ButtBuddy. Dream on….You think because CNN says it, it’s true. It’s why LEFT IS 98% STUPID. It will take Biden less than 3 months to destroy what Trump did even for clowns like you. Wait until you’re paying $10 a gallon for 100LL. Fuel prices have already started to climb. It’s Obama all over again. Remember $6 at the pump for your Pinto? Then come back at me with your bogus lies and MSM stats. Quit wasting my time.
Is that Alan Blinder of the New York Times? Are you serious?? LOL!!!!!
And Mark Watson of Liberal Princeton?
Dude, you need to stay off the crack….
Wants some facts from a politically opposite thought process and agenda? I will not waste my time. Teaching braindead people is a waste of time. Order yourself another Kool Aid from the Clintons…
You probably need CNN to tell you how to cross the street without getting hit too…You are hilarious.
Wow, you don’t feel embarrassed making these kinds of juvenile taunts?? Because you are just embarrassing yourself. Seriously, you need to grow up Jimmy.
I don’t feel the least bit embarrassed. Electing people like AOC, The other Squad members, Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff, Obama, Biden, Clinton(s), Nadler….Now that would embarrass me. Let’s face facts here Phil. Half the Country despises what you lefties have done to our country. The other half has TDS. We see it as a result of Liberal Education. Yes, we dropped the ball and let it happen. Shame on us for that. Thank God for Charter schools where my son went. If you have kids, they will be lucky if one day they work for my son who at 29 years old already owns a successful company employing 20+ people. Warning…he values hard work ethic and an IQ higher than a grape. And another thing…I’m not taunting you. I’m letting you know in no uncertain terms what I think of your opinion. Remember when everyone could have one of those?