Sun Country Airlines recently announced plans for a major route expansion that will grow the airline and add jobs at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

Pictured: Jude Bricker, Sun Country CEO, at the expansion plan announcement.

The network expansion includes eight new seasonal nonstop routes for MSP and eight new seasonal nonstop routes in recently expanded markets including Nashville, Tenn., Dallas-Ft. Worth and Portland, Oregon.

The airline is also adding nonstop destinations from Las Vegas and adding San Antonio and Providence, R.I. to its network. The announcement is the largest addition to Sun Country’s network in the company’s history as a scheduled service airline.

“This network expansion allows us to provide even more destination options to our community, create new jobs in the Twin Cities market and further our reach across the country,” said Jude Bricker, Sun Country’s CEO. “We look forward to bringing our mission of offering leisure travelers safe, reliable service at a great price to more people and places.”

The new routes are part of an overall growth plan for the airline that will include additional aircraft and a 10 percent increase the company’s Twin Cities workforce in 2019.

At the announcement on Jan. 8 at MSP’s Terminal 2, Brian Ryks, the CEO and executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, noted the additional options for travelers and the new jobs.

“Sun Country has the second-largest presence among air carriers at MSP, and these additional routes demonstrate our hometown airline’s commitment to growing its business here in Minnesota,” Ryks said.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey spoke of MSP’s impact on the region’s economy, and noted that Sun Country’s expansion will provide good-paying jobs for the Twin Cities.

Chris Tolbert, a St. Paul City Council member, also spoke at the event and congratulated Sun Country on its new service.

Several of the new routes will begin service in April.

With these added routes, Sun Country will operate a total of 86 routes across 53 airports, marking a nearly 40 percent growth in routes served since June of last year.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is looking to fill hundreds of jobs, and you’re invited to a job fair happening Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The job fair at MSP’s Terminal 2 will feature a wide range of employers recruiting part-time, full-time and seasonal employees.

Hospitality, restaurant, retail, hotel, airline and aviation-related positions are available. People of all skill levels are encourage to attend. Available shifts include morning, evening and overnight.

The jobs come with competitive starting wages and some offer full benefits. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumé and apply onsite. You can also search current airport job openings at myMSPconnect.com/jobs.

The event is held on the ticketing level of Terminal 2, and attendees do not have to pass through security.

To get to Terminal 2, you can take the METRO Blue Line, or take the Metro Transit route 54 bus to Terminal 1, and then follow signs to the Blue Line and Terminal 2. No fare is charged on the Blue Line for travel between Terminals 1 and 2.

If you’re driving to Terminal 2, park in the Orange ramp and take level 2 to the Terminal.

If someone is giving you a ride, have them drop you off at Terminal 2’s first door on the right (Door 1) as you approach the Terminal.

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019

Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Place: MSP Airport Terminal 2, 7150 Humphrey Drive, Minneapolis, Minn., 55450

MSP’s other new opening is the Wendy’s in the new Concourse F Food Court, across from Gate F6. Whether you dip your fries in your Frosty or not, it’s worth a stop for Wendy’s fresh-never-frozen burgers.

The Concourse F food court features ample seating and natural light from a skylight that runs the length of the dining area.

Wendy’s joins Panda Express and Peoples Organic, both of which  opened a few weeks ago. Chick-fil-A, known for its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries, is also set to open soon at that location.

The holiday season brought thousands of additional passengers to MSP, and the TSA and airport staff ramped up to handle the additional numbers with minimal disruption.

More than 445,000 travelers passed through security checkpoints at MSP’s two terminals between Dec. 22 and Jan. 2, with four of those days experiencing more than 40,000 passengers.

During the busiest times, additional airport employees were on Terminal 1’s ticketing level to answer questions and help passengers queue up efficiently. The average maximum wait time per day at TSA security checkpoints during the 12-day stretch was 21 minutes.

Passengers also enjoyed music and dance performances provided by the Arts@MSP program and its MSP Holiday Music Series, which stretched across both November and December.

USA TODAY 10Best needs help in choosing the best airport and airport amenities in North America. Vote for your MSP favorites at this webpage.

MSP is nominated in several categories, including:

Best Airport Bar - Vote Lolo American Kitchen Stillwater 

Best Airport Bar/Restaurant Atmosphere - Vote Blue Door Pub

Best Airport for Dining - Vote MSP Airport

Best Airport for Shopping - Vote MSP Airport

Best Airport Newsstand - Vote North Loop Market

Best Airport Shop for Local Merchandise - Vote Minnesota State of Nice