Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed REAL ID legislation into law recently, ensuring that Minnesota will comply with federal regulations and that airplane passengers will be able to continue flying using their state-issued driver’s license.
The passage of a bill by both the Minnesota House and Senate this legislative session followed years of debate over the new IDs.
Leaders from the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) had urged action on the topic, noting the economic impact Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has on the region.
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 “Easy access to air travel is vital to Minnesota’s economy, so it was crucial that state lawmakers pass legislation this session to bring the state in compliance with federal regulations,” said Brian Ryks, executive director and CEO of the MAC. “We’re grateful lawmakers were able to work together and make this happen for the residents and businesses of Minnesota.”
Gov. Dayton said he was very pleased with the legislation, “which will allow Minnesotans to continue to board airplanes, and access federal facilities, with a compliant driver’s license.”
Minnesota’s action follows a federal REAL ID law passed in 2005, which aims to prevent acts of terror and make identity fraud more difficult.
Minnesota’s REAL ID-compliant cards will have security features intended to prevent tampering. The cards will also present data in a common, machine-readable format, such as a bar code.
The law requires the Department of Public Safety to make REAL ID-compliant licenses available by Oct. 1, 2018. Once available, residents will be allowed to renew their licenses even if they are not yet up for renewal.
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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will soon start flying a Boeing 787 Dreamliner for its three weekly flights between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
The change, which begins late this year, will mark MSP’s first regularly scheduled 787 service.
The 787 uses industry-leading technology in its composite structure and electrical system architecture, and boasts exceptional fuel efficiency. The 787 is also quieter than similar-sized aircraft.
 Passenger comfort is key and includes larger windows and a higher cabin ceiling.
The MSP-Amsterdam flights are offered on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Book your next flight here: www.klm.com
More information about the 787 Dreamliner is available here.
 Beginning Saturday, June 17, the #54 Metro Transit bus route that serves Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) will stop on the upper east roadway in front of Terminal 1-Lindbergh.
Bus patrons will be directed to the tram level underneath the roadway to get to and from the terminal. Previously, the #54 bus stop was at Terminal 1’s transit center.
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 All other vehicles currently using the transit center will remain there for now. This includes charter buses and school buses that serve summer camping programs.
The transit center will close this fall and those other buses will then use the east commercial roadway at Terminal 1, which is on the lower level.
The changes are necessary due to the construction of a new 5,000-space parking ramp being developed at the existing transit center location. When the new ramp opens in 2020, buses will move to a new transit center located in the new ramp.
More information about the new parking ramp is available here.
Four self-service bag drops will open near Delta Air Lines’ ticketing counter at MSP’s Terminal 1-Lindbergh later this summer.
The airline’s $600,000 investment will allow Delta passengers to securely and quickly check their own bags.
The airline will collect customer feedback during the trial of the automated bag check process and use it to improve the experience. The trial period at MSP will help the airline assess whether to deploy the equipment more broadly across the U.S.
One of the machines will be equipped with facial recognition technology to match customers with their passport photos, which is a first for U.S. air carriers. Delta employees will also be on hand to assist travelers with the new equipment.
 The self-service devices will generate a tag for each bag that's checked.
Delta says studies have shown that the self-service bag drops could potentially service twice as many customers per hour.
 Escape Lounge is now providing complimentary access to its U.S. lounges to holders of American Express Platinum Cards.
The offer includes Escape Lounge’s location at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), which offers contemporary cuisine and a full drink menu in a relaxed setting.
Guests also receive WiFi, easy access to charging stations and the ability to browse the web using a complimentary tablet computer.
Escape Lounge is not associated with an airline. It provides an airport lounge experience to passengers traveling on any air carrier.
Travelers without an AmEx Platinum card can access the lounge by paying a fee at the door or by pre-booking a visit at this website.
More information about the AmEx offer is available here.
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