Airports Serving St. Francis, Minnesota
St. Francis is a growing city of approximately 8,523 residents located in northwestern Anoka County, about 16 miles north of the city of Anoka and just beyond the northern edge of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. Residents and visitors in St. Francis are well-positioned to access a range of airports — from a nearby general aviation reliever facility to one of the nation's busiest international hubs. Whether you're planning a quick domestic trip or an international journey, here's what you need to know about the airports serving St. Francis, Minnesota.
Crystal Airport (MIC/KMIC) — Closest Airport, ~26 Miles
The nearest airport to St. Francis is Crystal Airport (IATA: MIC, ICAO: KMIC), located approximately 26 miles to the south in the city of Crystal, Minnesota, just 10 miles northwest of downtown Minneapolis. Operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), Crystal Airport is a general aviation reliever airport covering roughly 436 acres at an elevation of 869 feet.
Crystal Airport features three runways: a primary paved runway (14/32) measuring 3,751 feet by 75 feet, a secondary paved runway (6L/24R) at 2,500 feet, and a seasonal turf runway (6R/24L) at 2,122 feet — the only turf runway in the MAC's reliever system, open from May through October. The airport has an FAA-operated air traffic control tower open daily, two non-precision instrument approaches, and self-serve fuel. Based aircraft include over 150 single-engine planes, multi-engine aircraft, and helicopters. Crystal Airport hosts an annual open house on Father's Day weekend with airplane rides, helicopter rides, a pancake breakfast, and a hangar dance. For St. Francis residents interested in flight training, aircraft rental, or private aviation, Crystal Airport is the most accessible option.
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP/KMSP) — Primary Commercial Hub, ~42 Miles
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (IATA: MSP, ICAO: KMSP) is the primary commercial airport serving the region and sits approximately 42 miles south of St. Francis — roughly a 55-minute drive via US-10 South and I-35W. MSP is the 17th busiest airport in the United States, handling over 160 destinations including 130 domestic routes and 35 international. The airport generates an estimated $15.9 billion annually for the Twin Cities economy and supports 87,000 workers.
MSP operates two terminals. Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) is the larger of the two and serves major carriers including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, and WestJet. Terminal 2 (Humphrey) serves Allegiant, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country Airlines, IcelandAir, and Condor. The two terminals are connected by free Light Rail Transit running approximately every 10 minutes. MSP is Delta Air Lines' second-largest hub — Delta accounts for roughly 55% of annual traffic — and serves as the home base for Sun Country Airlines, Minnesota's hometown carrier. A $242 million Terminal 1 modernization program and a $305 million Concourse G expansion are currently underway, expected to be completed by end of 2025.
St. Cloud Regional Airport (STC/KSTC) — Regional Commercial Option, ~48 Miles
St. Cloud Regional Airport (IATA: STC, ICAO: KSTC) is located approximately 48 miles northwest of St. Francis in Sherburne County and offers an alternative for travelers who prefer to avoid the congestion of MSP. Allegiant Air serves STC with non-stop flights to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Arizona and seasonal service to Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) in Florida. Charter service to Laughlin/Bullhead City (IFP) in Nevada/Arizona is also available through Sun Country Airlines. With roughly 14 commercial departures per month, STC is best suited for travelers whose destinations align with Allegiant's route network, particularly those heading to warm-weather destinations in the Southwest and Florida.
Planning Your Trip from St. Francis
For most commercial air travel, St. Francis residents will rely on MSP as their primary departure point. The drive south on US-10 to I-35W or I-94 takes under an hour under normal conditions. Early morning and late afternoon departures should account for Twin Cities rush hour traffic. Long-term parking is available at both terminals, and the METRO Blue Line light rail connects Terminal 1 directly to downtown Minneapolis and Mall of America. For private pilots and flight training, Crystal Airport offers the most convenient access without the complexity of Class B airspace at MSP.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Indiana Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Vincennes, Indiana.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Vincennes, Indiana.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 0 Municipal Airport in Vincennes, Indiana.
Local Airports
There are 3 Local Airport in Vincennes, Indiana.