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Charter a Private Jet to Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota

This region of Minnesota has the nation’s third-largest system of metropolitan airports. Generally neat, clean and well-maintained, they can take the edge off “ground-pounding” and help make visiting the area an enjoyable experience. Most of these airports are administered under the central Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission. The Commission has drawn up ambitious expansion plans for the reliever airports and some construction has already begun, ensuring that as the region grows, its airports will, too.

Here’s a look at those airports and at the amenities they offer:

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport(KMSP)
Northwest Airlines is responsible for 80 percent of the traffic at this airport and ground control frequencies at peak hours are regularly clogged. The airport is across the street from the Mall of America and the commercial passenger terminal is home to Ike’s, one of the country’s best airport restaurants. However with that said, if time is critical, you’d be wise to consider alternatives to this airport. If you can’t go elsewhere, at least plan to arrive and depart during nonpeak hours, when delays should be minimal.

St. Paul Downtown Airport (KSTP)
This airport is a mile south of St. Paul’s business district and 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. For convenience, that makes it hard to beat. Its runway can accommodate the largest corporate jets under most circumstances.

The airport is a busy place, with 100 based aircraft, many of them jets, and 125,000 annual takeoffs and landings. Because the facility backs up to the Mississippi River, development space is at a premium and, other than the FBOs, you won’t find many amenities on the field. However, St. Paul is so close that it mitigates almost any inconvenience this could cause.

South St. Paul-Fleming Field (KSGS)
Fleming is only six miles south of St. Paul Downtown and their traffic patterns can overlap.

This facility is home to a Commemorative Air Force wing with flying warbirds. The airport also hosts two significant businesses: Wipaire, the nation’s leading floatplane outfitter; and Sierra Hotel Aero, a firm that restores classic aircraft. Wipaire is known for its custom interior installations on Cessna Caravans and can service most turboprop and piston aircraft.

Flying Cloud/Eden Prairie Airport (KFCM)
The only thing keeping Flying Cloud from becoming a major magnet for corporate aircraft is its runways-the longest is just 3,900 feet and their maximum load is 30,000 pounds. Runway extensions are being considered. Flying Cloud is home to more than 400 aircraft and has 144,000 takeoffs and landings per year. Its location, 13 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis, puts it close to the city’s “first ring” suburbs. You’ll find many aircraft services on the field. Flying Cloud is ideal for larger turboprops and light corporate jets.

Anoka County/Blaine Airport (KANE)
Anoka County, serving the northern suburbs, is also a favorite for corporate operators. It features a contract control tower and a full instrument landing system. The airport, 15 miles northwest of downtown Minneapolis, is host to 490 based aircraft and logs more than 90,000 takeoffs and landings per year.

Airlake Airport (KLVN)
Lakeville is a fast-growing suburb, about 25 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and Airlake there has all the right elements to become a major corporate airport. Several major retailers, strip malls and restaurants are nearby and the airport entrance is just a few miles from a major interstate freeway, I-35 South. A full instrument landing system is in place and the runway can handle jets weighing up to 80,000 pounds.

To determine which airport best suits your needs, please contact RYL’s private jet charter department at 877.391.6161.