Airports Serving Staples, Minnesota
Staples, Minnesota, a city of approximately 3,100 residents situated in Todd and Wadena counties along the US Highway 10 corridor in central Minnesota, is served by a mix of local general aviation and regional commercial airports. Whether you are a private pilot operating out of the hometown facility, a traveler catching a regional connection, or a commuter heading to the Twin Cities metro, the airport options available to Staples residents cover a broad range of travel needs. The closest facility is Staples Municipal Airport, while Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport offers the nearest scheduled commercial service, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport provides full hub connectivity roughly two and a half hours south by car.
Staples Municipal Airport (ICAO: KSAZ / FAA LID: SAZ)
Staples Municipal Airport is the local general aviation facility, owned and operated by the City of Staples. The airport sits approximately two nautical miles (3.7 kilometers) northwest of the Staples central business district at an elevation of 1,288 feet (393 meters) above mean sea level. The airport encompasses 172 acres and features a single asphalt runway designated 14/32, measuring 3,305 feet by 75 feet (1,007 by 23 meters). Magnetic headings run 144 degrees for Runway 14 and 324 degrees for Runway 32. The runway is equipped with medium-intensity edge lights (MIRL), Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) on both ends, and Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) on both ends — all pilot-controlled via the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) of 122.90 MHz.
KSAZ has no control tower and does not offer customs services, making it a straightforward general aviation destination. The airport's Fixed Base Operator (FBO) is located at 611 Iowa Ave N, Staples, MN 56479, and is open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (phone: 218-894-2550). The Arrival-Departure Building was remodeled in 2010, and in 2020 the airport received a $30,000 CARES Act infrastructure award. For private pilots, charter operators, and agricultural aviation users in central Minnesota, KSAZ functions as the go-to base serving the Staples area.
Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (IATA: BRD / ICAO: KBRD)
Located approximately 35 miles southeast of Staples in Brainerd, Minnesota — the seat of Crow Wing County — Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport is the nearest airport offering scheduled commercial passenger service to Staples residents. The airport sits at an elevation of 1,232 feet (376 meters) and covers 2,597 acres with two active concrete-surface runways. BRD is classified as a primary commercial service airport under the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, recording over 22,000 enplanements in 2018.
Delta Air Lines, operated by SkyWest Airlines under the Delta Connection brand, provides daily regional jet service between BRD and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) using Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets. This single daily connection places travelers one stop away from Delta's global network of more than 325 destinations across 60 countries. BRD features a single modern passenger terminal with a waiting area, rental car facilities, and ground transportation options. Parking at BRD is free — a significant advantage over the parking costs at the Twin Cities hub. The airport address is 16384 Airport Road, Brainerd, MN 56401, approximately a 45-minute drive from downtown Staples via US-10 East and MN-371 South.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (IATA: MSP / ICAO: KMSP)
For Staples travelers who require the full breadth of domestic and international connections, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is the primary hub option. MSP is located approximately 148 miles southeast of Staples — a drive of roughly 2 hours and 39 minutes via US Highway 10 East — placing it in range for same-day travel planning. MSP handled 37.2 million passengers in 2024 and is positioned within 10 miles of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul at 4300 Glumack Drive, St. Paul, MN 55111.
The airport operates two terminals: Terminal 1 (Lindbergh), the primary hub with seven concourses (A through G) and 131 total gates serving Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, and others; and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), a single-concourse facility (Concourse H) serving low-cost and charter carriers. MSP's Metro Transit Blue Line light rail provides fare-free connections between terminals and continues to downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America in Bloomington. MSP was ranked No. 1 among mega airports in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study and was recognized as the world's most punctual international airport by Cirium in 2023.
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 Minnesota 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 Buffalo, Minnesota.
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 Buffalo, Minnesota.
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 2 Municipal Airport in Buffalo, Minnesota.
Windom Municipal Airport - Mwm
Buffalo Municipal Airport
Local Airports
There are 1 Local Airport in Buffalo, Minnesota.