 Summer events are around the corner at some of the Twin Cities' general aviation airports, and they're a wonderful opportunity to see aircraft up close and enjoy a day with family and friends.
Flying Cloud Airport (pictured above) in Eden Prairie hosts the Wings of the North Air Expo, which draws thousands of visitors each year during the two-day event, occurring this year on the weekend of July 23 and 24. Visitors will see vintage aircraft flights, have an opportunity to experience plane rides and visit aircraft hangars full of displays.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates Flying Cloud, will also have its field maintenance equipment on display for visitors to explore, and other activities at its booth.
In the south metro, the city of Lakeville hosts a wide range of events as part of its annual Pan-O-Prog celebration, which starts the weekend of July 4. One of those events is the Fly-in Breakfast hosted by the Lion's Club at Airlake Airport (pictured). This year's breakfast starts at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 10. Airlake is another of the MAC's six general aviation airports in the metro area.
Details about the breakfast are available here, and more information on the long list of activities related to Pan-o-Prog are found here.
|
Kathy Megarry was recently named vice president of Human Resources and Labor Relations at the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
In her new role, Megarry will serve on the senior leadership team and oversee human resources, employee development and engagement, labor relations, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
|
Sara Freese was recently promoted to the newly created position of maintenance services and asset management director at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
The MSP Maintenance Services and Asset Management department is responsible for field maintenance and trades services. It will also lead the development and execution of a formal asset management program at the MAC that prioritizes safety and regulatory compliance while helping to elevate the customer experience.
Freese, who is being promoted from assistant director of Field Maintenance/Airside Operations, has more than 24 years of experience in airport management, including six years at the MAC. She holds master’s degrees in business administration and aviation safety, and a bachelor’s degree in aviation management. She serves on the National Board of Examiners with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
|
 International service from MSP continues to recover, with the latest addition coming from Delta Air Lines and its nonstop service to Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN) starting Oct. 2.
Flights to Seoul (pictured) will initially operate three times per week, increasing to daily service on Oct. 29. The MSP-to-Seoul route will operate on an Airbus A350-900 with four cabin choices.
Sun Country Airlines built its reputation at MSP Airport flying to warm southern destinations – typically Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean – during cold Minnesota winters.
On June 15, Minnesota's "hometown airline" of nearly four decades headed north to Canada for the first time. Sun Country will fly direct to Vancouver twice a week from MSP's Terminal 2 on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the summer and into September.
|
 Flying Cloud Airport hosted an event earlier this month that drew a crowd of 300 community members, elected and city officials, local business people, and airport tenants, all gathering to hear information about the airport’s long-term planning process and gain insight into the airport and its operation.
The “Discover Flying Cloud” event on June 8 was held in the Metropolitan Airports Commission's (MAC) maintenance facility near the airfield, headlined by a presentation on the long-term plan. The event also featured kids’ activities, displays of field maintenance equipment, the Eden Prairie police, booths staffed by airport partners, and a food truck.
The event was hosted by the MAC, which owns and operates Flying Cloud. The airport is developing a long-term plan with a 20-year horizon. The plan will guide the MAC in the future and enable smart capital investments, as it aims to enhance airport safety and preserve and possibly improve operational capabilities for the current types of aircraft using the airfield.
There are three more public open houses planned. Information about Flying Cloud’s long-term planning process is found here. You can also find full details about community involvement opportunities.
The annual Father’s Day Fly-in and Open House held at Crystal Airport on Sunday June 19 was a big draw again this year.
More than 2,500 people were in attendance to enjoy a waffle breakfast, car show, craft vendors, aircraft displays and the highlight of the day, a Warbird flyover.
The Crystal Police Department and West Metro Fire-Rescue were onsite, and many guests booked an airplane or helicopter ride. Staff from the Metropolitan Airports Commission was on-site with a booth and equipment display to answer questions and quiz their knowledge of aviation to get a spin of a prize wheel.
If you didn't get out to this year's event, make a note of it for Father's Day 2023.
|
How are we already closing in on the Fourth of July? The summer travel season continues to speed ahead, and MSP Airport is anxious to hear what influences your travel plans. We have an ongoing survey that gauges attitudes about air travel and the answers are helping shape the MSP experience.
One thing we already know: Travel is back. Our surveys are now showing that 88 percent of respondents would be willing to get on a plane tomorrow, a figure that's almost triple what it was at the start of the pandemic.
Even if you’ve already taken the survey, please consider taking it again, as your thoughts and answers may have changed over time. We also add new questions each month. This month, we're asking "What do you like to do to pass time in the terminal?"
Among topics that survey takers have shown an interest in: MSP's safety initiatives related to the pandemic, which are all a part of our Travel Confidently MSP program.
|
|
