The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) recently welcomed Tim Simon as its new Vice President, Finance and Revenue Development.
 
“Tim Simon brings a wealth of government finance and strategic thinking to the Metropolitan Airports Commission,” said MAC CFO Atif Saeed. “His background and expertise will be crucial as the MAC navigates revenue impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, develops strategies for re-energizing revenue streams as the aviation industry recovers and works to retain one of the best financial ratings in the airport industry.”

Read more about Simon's appointment here.

Starting on June 1, MSP Airport's Terminal 1 will get a new Essential Air Service airline – Denver Air Connection – that will fly between MSP and Thief River Falls, Minn., 12 times a week.

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the two-year contract to Denver Air earlier this year. 

Denver Air succeeds Boutique Air, which has been flying to the city in northwestern Minnesota from MSP since 2016. In August, Boutique will begin providing service between MSP and Ironwood, Mich.

Denver Air, a subsidiary of Key Lime Air, operates out of Denver International Airport and serves smaller destinations in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. For flights to Thief River Falls, it plans to use either a 50-seat Embraer EMB-145 or a 30-seat Dornier 328 Jet.

Denver Air also has an interline agreement with United Airlines, which will allow passengers from Thief River Falls to check their bags all the way to their final destinations when transferring through MSP onto a United flight.

Improvements are continuing at the Metropolitan Airports Commission's reliever airports this summer as part of the Capital Improvement Program.

At Airlake Airport in Lakeville, new edge lighting is being installed along a runway and taxiways. Details are available here. 

At St. Paul Downtown Airport, construction starting in June will include rehabilitation of street pavement and installation of a new sidewalk along the south side of Bayfield Street. Read more about the project at this web page. 

As the reconstruction of Hwy. 5 continues between I-494 and Hwy. 62, there are new ramp closures that drivers will want to consider as they pass through that area.

Hwy. 5 serves the inbound roadway leading to Terminal 1 at MSP Airport.

• The ramp from Highway 5 west to I-494 east is now closed through Thursday, June 4. Detour: I-494 west to Highway 77 to I-494 east
• The ramp from 34^th Avenue to I-494 east is now closed through Tuesday, June 9. Detour: I-494 west to Highway 77 to I-494 east.

Ongoing traffic changes related to the project include:

• Highway 5 east is closed between I-494 and Davern Street until mid-July.

Please visit AroundtheAirport.com for detailed information about the project, including maps.