Metropolitan Airports Commission chief reports rising passenger numbers, $9.2 billion capital plan

Brian Ricks, chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, told the Metropolitan Council on Jan. 22 that the airport system is recovering to near‑prepandemic levels and has substantial capital work planned.

Ricks said the MAC system — seven airports including Minneapolis–St. Paul International (MSP) — handled just under 35 million passengers last year, about 92% of its 2019 record. “This year we’re gonna be somewhere between 37 and 38,000,000,” he said, projecting the system would reach about 95% of the 2019 peak.

Ricks summarized MAC’s finance and investment picture and said the commission expects roughly $536,000,000 in revenue and about $302,000,000 in expenses for the year, with annual debt service about $140,000,000. “That leaves about $90,000,000–$95,000,000 in excess revenue and that revenue gets plugged back in to support capital investment,” he said.

The CEO described a record capital program in 2024 (about $1.1 billion) and a longer‑term capital plan of roughly $9.2 billion that includes 16 major projects. Key projects Ricks highlighted include completion of Terminal 1 front‑of‑house upgrades, continued expansion and renovations on Concourse G and other post‑security concourses, and a 168,000‑square‑foot expansion of Terminal 2 that will add gates and support Sun Country growth. He said two additional gates at Terminal 2 are already open, and four more are projected for first or second quarter 2027.

Ricks also discussed airline service and network breadth: MSP hosts 17 carriers, and last year the system was short of its all‑time passenger record by about 4 million. He said the airport is at or above pre‑COVID levels for international service and will reach 35 international nonstop destinations this spring, with new Delta service to Rome and Copenhagen scheduled to begin in May. He noted the recent departure of JetBlue from MSP after the carrier reduced to a two‑flight‑per‑day schedule.

On sustainability, Ricks described MAC’s “2030” targets adopted by the commission (including an 80% emissions reduction goal and a 15% water‑use reduction) and efforts to support sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development. He credited regional partners and private companies, including Greater MSP, Delta, Ecolab, U.S. Bank, the University of Minnesota and Airbus, for work toward a Minnesota SAF hub. “Delta obviously wants MSP to be their example of a SAF hub throughout their network,” he said.

Council members pressed Ricks on security and operations: one member asked how TSA and law enforcement handle firearms found at checkpoints; Ricks said officers detain travelers and the individuals are prosecuted, adding that the airport has increased signage and outreach. Council members also asked about international connections to Mexico and other markets; Ricks said MAC and Delta have sought to protect service and that he would follow up with Delta for specifics.

Why this matters: Ricks’ briefing outlines where the region’s largest airport system stands on recovery, capital spending and sustainability plans, and identifies near‑term projects and timelines that will shape travel capacity and regional economic activity.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission presentation was delivered at the council’s Jan. 22 meeting and included a question‑and‑answer period with council members.