Metropolitan Airports Commission reports growth, $0.57B projected revenue and Sun Country–Allegiant merger to affect MSP hub

Brian Ricks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, gave the Council a wide-ranging update on Jan. 28, describing the commission’s capital program, air-service developments and investments to improve passenger experience.

Ricks said the airport system projects approximately $565 million in revenue and about $311 million in expenditures for the year, leaving the commission to fund further capital work largely through bonding against airport revenues. He highlighted completed work at Terminal 1 (operational improvements) and a 168,000-square-foot expansion underway at Terminal 2 that will add capacity and four gates, with a completion target around 2027.

On air service, Ricks discussed the announced Sun Country–Allegiant merger. He said Sun Country’s headquarters will move to Las Vegas but that maintenance operations are expected to continue locally, and that the combined carrier may increase flying to fill scheduled-service gaps. Ricks said officials expect regulatory approvals within months, followed by a single operating-certificate process that could take about 14 months.

Ricks also reviewed investments in passenger-facing technology — a customer-relationship management system, improved security-screening tooling and pilots for remote baggage screening for select international routes — and noted MSP’s growth in international destinations. He framed the capital program as demand-driven and said the commission does not collect taxpayer dollars for operations.

What’s next: Ricks said the commission will continue to work with Allegiant leadership and the Council to promote aircraft maintenance jobs locally and to implement planned capital projects.

Quotes from the meeting are exact as given on the record.