| Past year saw record growth in international demand and destinations
A Delta Air Lines A350 aircraft takes off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Airports Commission
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MINN — Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) passenger traffic totaled 36,071,627 in 2025 based on just-released year-end data. Despite a total passenger decline of approximately 3% compared to 2024 (37,168,451), MSP saw continued growth in international passenger demand and flight activity.
In 2025, MSP set records in both international destinations at 35 and total international passengers at 3.61 million, equating to 10% of total passengers. MSP’s growth in international reach was amplified by Delta Air Lines’ new service to Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH), and Rome, Italy (FCO), giving travelers a total of eight nonstop European destinations from Minnesota.
“After four years of steady passenger growth at MSP, some airlines reduced their network and flight activity this past year due to industry challenges, including aircraft and pilot shortages,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP. “Despite those economic headwinds, MSP continued to grow its total number of nonstop destinations anchored by expanded global routes and connectivity.”
In total, MSP supported 342,673 aircraft operations in 2025 (takeoffs and landings, all aircraft types — airline, cargo, military or general aviation). That compares to 342,124 operations in 2024.
Commercial airlines operating at MSP served a total of 167 destinations, up four markets from 2024. Airlines provided 59,148 average daily departing seats in 2025, down 2.5% from the previous year.
The top airlines at MSP based on 2025 passenger market share:
| Delta* |
71.55% |
| Sun Country |
11.04% |
| American* |
4.52% |
| Southwest |
4.34% |
| United* |
4.28% |
| Alaska |
0.99% |
| Frontier |
0.92% |
| Other |
2.36% |
Percentages rounded. *Includes regional affiliates.
See the full 2025 MSP Passengers and Operations Summary.
In 2025, MSP also marked the completion of two major capital programs to expand and improve Terminal 1 facilities. The $600 million Operational Improvements Program was a 10-year campaign by the MAC to expand and modernize all the pre-security areas, including the complete makeover of checkpoints, ticketing functions and baggage claim.
The MAC and Delta Air Lines partnered on the $242 million Airport Modernization Program that renovated six of Terminal 1’s seven concourses (A, B, C, D, F and G) and approximately 75 Delta gate hold rooms. It was the airport’s largest-ever interior renovation and provides travelers with a more unified experience between the front door and airline gate areas.
MSP has been named the best mega airport for customer and traveler satisfaction in back-to-back years in the annual J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study. MSP has earned the highest ranking in customer satisfaction for mega airports in three out of the past four years.
About The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) owns and operates one of the nation’s largest airport systems, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six general aviation airports. The MAC’s airports connect the region to the world and showcase Minnesota’s extraordinary culture to millions of passengers from around the globe who arrive or depart through MAC airports each year. Though a public corporation of the state of Minnesota, the organization is not funded by income or property taxes. Instead, the MAC’s operations are funded by rents and fees generated by users of its airports. For more information, visit www.metroairports.org. |
