Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is gearing up for the next big step in its runway safety enhancement project. After wrapping up the first phase of improvements earlier this year, the airport is set to close its south parallel runway for the second and final phase. This six-week closure is scheduled to kick off on August 18, 2025, as announced by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which oversees MSP. This means some operational tweaks will be necessary, especially since MSP is a key hub for Delta Air Lines.
The focus of this construction phase will be on Runway 12R-30L, a 10,000-foot stretch on the south side of Terminal 1. The work will include runway grading, drainage upgrades, shoulder enhancements, and the reconstruction of Taxiway D. Most of the action will take place at the eastern end of the runway, close to Highway 5. During this period, passengers and nearby residents might notice some changes in flight patterns. But once the project wraps up by the end of September 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will restore MSP to its usual operational capacity.
MSP, originally known as Speedway Field, has been a cornerstone of air travel in the Upper Midwest since 1920. It’s the busiest airport in the region and ranks 19th in North America. With four runways and two terminals, MSP handled 37.2 million passengers last year, a significant rebound from the pandemic slump, though still shy of its pre-pandemic peak of 39.5 million. The airport is a major economic engine, generating $15.9 billion and supporting nearly 87,000 jobs. As Delta Air Lines’ second-largest hub and the home base for Sun Country Airlines, MSP is a vital link in the air travel network.
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Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
