Airports Serving St. Paul, Minnesota
St. Paul, the capital city of Minnesota, is served by one of the busiest airports in the Midwest and a dedicated general aviation facility just minutes from downtown. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, St. Paul's airport infrastructure connects residents and visitors to hundreds of destinations across the United States and around the world.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
The primary commercial airport serving St. Paul is Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (IATA: MSP), located approximately 10 miles southwest of downtown St. Paul. MSP is one of the nation's major hub airports, handling 37.2 million passengers in 2024 and offering nonstop service to 163 destinations worldwide. The airport covers 2,930 acres and is operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC).
MSP is organized into two terminals:
- Terminal 1 – Lindbergh Terminal: The main terminal with 117 gates across seven concourses (A through G). This terminal handles the majority of the airport's traffic and is home to Delta Air Lines, which operates MSP as a major hub. Other carriers including American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and international airlines such as Air France, KLM, Aer Lingus, and Air Canada also operate from Terminal 1.
- Terminal 2 – Humphrey Terminal: A single-concourse (Concourse H) terminal serving low-cost and charter carriers, including Sun Country Airlines — Minnesota's own hometown airline — and Southwest Airlines.
MSP's economic footprint is enormous, generating an estimated $15.9 billion annually for the Twin Cities regional economy and supporting approximately 87,000 jobs. For St. Paul travelers, the airport is easily accessible via I-494, Highways 5 and 55, and — critically — public transit.
Getting from St. Paul to MSP
St. Paul residents enjoy excellent public transit connections to MSP. The METRO Green Line light rail runs through downtown St. Paul, connecting at the downtown Minneapolis stations to the METRO Blue Line, which stops directly at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at MSP. The total trip from downtown St. Paul takes approximately 35 minutes and runs every 12–15 minutes from roughly 4 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
For a direct bus option, Metro Transit Route 54 provides service between downtown St. Paul and MSP Terminal 1, boarding outside the Terminal 1 Transit Station. Rideshare services (Uber and Lyft) pick up on Level 2 of the Green Parking Ramp at Terminal 1 and at the ground level of the Purple Parking Ramp at Terminal 2.
St. Paul Downtown Airport – Holman Field (STP)
Just 3 miles from downtown St. Paul, situated along the west bank of the Mississippi River, lies St. Paul Downtown Airport (IATA: STP / ICAO: KSTP), commonly known as Holman Field. This general aviation reliever airport is also operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission and serves a different but important segment of St. Paul's aviation needs.
Holman Field features three runways, the longest of which — Runway 14/32 — stretches 6,491 feet, capable of accommodating most business jets and turboprop aircraft. The airport has precision instrument approaches on Runways 14 and 32, an FAA-staffed control tower open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday (7 a.m.–10 p.m. weekends), and two fixed-base operators providing fueling, maintenance, and flight training services.
Holman Field is home to a Minnesota Army National Guard aviation unit and hosts a variety of corporate aircraft operations. It also distinguishes itself among MAC's reliever airports by featuring Holman's Table, an on-site restaurant — the only MAC reliever airport with a dedicated dining facility. For corporate travelers, private pilots, and charter operators wanting immediate access to St. Paul without the scale of MSP, Holman Field is an invaluable asset.
Other General Aviation Options Near St. Paul
The greater Twin Cities metro area has several additional general aviation airports within a short drive of St. Paul, including Lake Elmo Airport to the east, South St. Paul Municipal Airport approximately 8 miles south, and Anoka County-Blaine Airport (ANE) to the north. Each serves recreational pilots, flight schools, and business aviation operators in the region.
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 St. Paul, 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 St. Paul, 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 0 Municipal Airport in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Local Airports
There are 5 Local Airport in St. Paul, Minnesota.
St Paul Downtown Airport - Stp
Metropolitan Airport Cmmssn
United Childrens Hospital Airport
St Croix Airport Retail Inc
Holman Airport Administration Building
Frequently Asked Questions — Airports in St. Paul, Minnesota
The closest major commercial airport to downtown St. Paul is Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), located approximately 10 miles southwest of downtown. MSP serves 37.2 million passengers annually and offers nonstop flights to 163 destinations. For general aviation, St. Paul Downtown Airport (Holman Field / STP) is even closer — just 3 miles from downtown — though it does not offer scheduled commercial airline service.
Yes. From downtown St. Paul, you can take the METRO Green Line westbound into downtown Minneapolis, then transfer to the METRO Blue Line southbound, which stops directly at both MSP Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey). The total trip takes approximately 35 minutes and trains run every 12–15 minutes from around 4 a.m. to midnight daily. Metro Transit Route 54 also provides a direct bus connection between downtown St. Paul and Terminal 1.
MSP is a Delta Air Lines hub, accounting for roughly 55–65% of the airport's passenger traffic. Other major carriers at MSP include American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines (Minnesota's home-state carrier). International service is provided by Air France, KLM, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, WestJet, and Discover Airlines, among others. Delta and Sun Country primarily operate from Terminal 1 (Lindbergh), while Southwest and other low-cost carriers use Terminal 2 (Humphrey).
St. Paul Downtown Airport, officially known as Holman Field (KSTP), is a general aviation airport operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, located just 3 miles from downtown St. Paul on the banks of the Mississippi River. It serves corporate aircraft, private pilots, flight training operations, and a Minnesota Army National Guard aviation unit. With its longest runway at 6,491 feet and precision instrument approaches, it handles business jets and turboprops. The airport is also notable for Holman's Table, a restaurant on-site — a rare amenity among the region's general aviation airports.