The Metropolitan Airports Commissions’ (MAC) focus on making MSP Airport accessible to all travelers was shared on a national stage last week as MAC CEO Brian Ryks testified before the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee in Washington, D.C.
Ryks was one of several people to testify at the subcommittee hearing called to explore "Accessible Air Travel: Addressing Challenges for Passengers with Disabilities." He was testifying on behalf of the Airports Council International-North America.
Ryks' remarks highlighted some of the industry-leading programs the MAC has adopted in recent years to make MSP more accessible to everyone.
Those include:
- The 2014 creation of the MAC's Travelers with Disabilities Advisory Committee, which includes disability advocates as well as airport staff and representatives from airlines, airline contractors, and the TSA.
- The adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, which allows passengers to self-identify that they may have a special need and may need additional assistance from airport workers.
- The 2012 creation of the Navigating MSP program, which is a partnership between MSP, Delta Air Lines, Autism Minnesota, and other local organizations to help individuals gain experience traveling through the airport and to prepare them for the passenger experience.
- The construction of 24 award-winning accessible restrooms and development of service animal relief areas in each concourse.
- And the adoption of many technological advances – like AIRA (Aira Airport Network) and visual paging – to make it easier for people who are hard of hearing or sight impaired to more easily navigate MSP.
Ryks also thanked Congress for its most recent round of infrastructure funding for U.S. airports but stressed more money is needed to improve airport accessibility.
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 Internationally renowned artist Kipp Kobayashi has been selected to design and install a centerpiece artwork within the new two-story G Concourse Rotunda at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) Board recently gave final approval to the contract for the art project, endorsing the unanimous recommendation of the MSP Arts and Culture Steering Committee. The yet-to-be-designed artwork will be installed in the expanded east-end of the G concourse in Terminal 1.
Kobayashi is a Los Angeles-based artist, teacher and art advocate with a background in urban planning. His public art can be seen in museums and other public spaces across the country. His work focuses on human activity —the impressions and energy left behind on structures and systems, layer upon layer.
Read the full story here.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) would like to better understand its market position and identify opportunities to strengthen our brand and identity. We are assessing stakeholder and traveler perceptions about the MAC, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and reliever airports.
You are invited to complete this brief survey to tell us what you think.
Thank you in advance for your participation! We value your input.
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If you don’t yet have a REAL ID card from the state of Minnesota, now is the time to prepare for a deadline that’s coming up on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
On that date, passengers who don’t have a driver’s license that’s compliant with REAL ID will need to show an alternative form of identification to board a flight for domestic air travel.
You can find a list of alternatives to a REAL ID card, and additional information, at the TSA’s REAL ID webpage. The requirement stems from a federal law passed in 2005 to battle terrorism and identity fraud. The deadline for compliance in Minnesota has been pushed back previously, however, the deadline is now set for May.
MSP Airport and the Metropolitan Airports Commission have been working with Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety to publicize the move to REAL ID, and to provide opportunities for travelers to update their driver’s license. Find general information here, and details about the REAL ID licensing location at MSP Airport here.
Travelers outside of Minnesota should check with their own state for the latest REAL ID compliance information. You can find REAL ID application information for Wisconsin at this webpage., and at these other websites for Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota.
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Evan Wilson, an 18-year veteran of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) who most recently served as senior attorney, has been named deputy general counsel of the MAC.
As deputy general counsel, Wilson will assist in providing legal counsel to the MAC and help guide the organization on a wide range of legal matters, including governance, regulatory compliance, operational and policy issues, legislation, real estate transactions, contracts and grant agreements, emergency management, airport safety zoning, technology and intellectual property matters. Wilson also advises the Airport Foundation MSP and Arts@MSP program.
Wilson joined the MAC in 2004 and became senior attorney in 2014. Over that time, Wilson has earned a strong reputation for his clear and actionable legal guidance and leadership on many important projects and initiatives.
Wilson has held various leadership roles within the American Bar Association and the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA). He is currently on the MSBA's Investment Committee, which oversees the MSBA's investment policy and portfolio.
Wilson received his juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a board member and managing editor of the Minnesota Law Review. He received his bachelor's degree in history and political science from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul.
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The daily high temperature is decreasing, but the number of options for sun-filled trips out of MSP Airport is escalating quickly.
As winter arrives in the Twin Cities region, there are 20 seasonal destinations that have come back on the schedule at MSP recently.
Several popular routes have already returned, including Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico flights offered by Delta Air Lines. MSP’s hometown carrier, Sun Country Airlines, recently relaunched service to Ft. Lauderdale; Mazatlan, Mexico; Punta Cana and Puerto Vallarta. And Spirit Airlines started serving Phoenix again recently.
In December, an even larger group of sunny routes return to MSP, helping you beat cabin fever before it starts.
American Airlines will relaunch service to Miami, and Delta will bring back flights to Tucson, Hayden/Steamboat Springs in Colorado; Liberia, Costa Rica; Montego Bay in Jamaica, and San Jose del Cabo in Mexico.
Also in December, Sun Country kicks off its new seasonal destinations that includes Punta Gorda, Fla.; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; Tucson; Aruba; Belize City; Cozumel, Mexico; brand new service to Grand Cayman starting Dec. 17; Liberia, Costa Rica; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; Roatan, Honduras; San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, and Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Looking ahead to next summer, the route options are already mushrooming. Earlier this week, Sun Country announced a whopping 15 new seasonal destinations that will run from April to near the Labor Day weekend. Beaches and mountains are among the highlights on the list, stretching from Colorado Springs to Wilmington, N.C.
Visit the airline website of your choice and book your trip today!
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