Air travel strong at MSP this summer, expected to be busy for Labor Day

Air travel picked up nicely this summer at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the airport is predicted to be busy over the Labor Day weekend, despite unease as the highly infectious delta variant of COVID-19 spreads across the state and beyond.

"We are seeing the results of stronger summer travel, with certain days in July exceeding 2019 levels," said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates MSP.

But Ryks said the impact of COVID variants on fall travel "remains uncertain."

Though Labor Day typically isn't a huge holiday for air travel, this year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising unvaccinated travelers to stay home — a move intended to stem the virus' spread.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also extended the mask mandate for airports and airplanes through Jan. 18.

MAC spokesman Jeff Lea said Friday will be the busiest day of the weekend with some 31,000 bookings — compared with 15,800 the Friday before last year's Labor Day — followed by Thursday (29,000 vs. 14,800 last year) and Monday (25,700 vs. 14,600 last year).

"It's not our biggest holiday, but there is a nice uptick," Lea said.

This summer, passenger boardings at MSP increased to 75% of pre-pandemic levels in the month of July, with an average of 420 daily scheduled departures, according to the MAC. By comparison, passenger boardings in July 2020 were at 25% of pre-pandemic levels, with 249 average daily scheduled departures.

From January to July 2021, total passenger numbers amounted to 57% of 2019 totals. Passenger numbers have trended positively every month this year, the MAC said.

And they should grow even more with expanded air service this fall. Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air is slated to begin service at MSP on Oct. 1, with nonstop flights to Destin, Palm Beach and Punta Gorda, Fla.; Asheville, N.C.; Phoenix and Los Angeles.

Sun Country Airlines also is expected to add service to Palm Beach and Asheville in October.

KLM resumed nonstop service from MSP to Amsterdam on Tuesday, the 10th international route to return since the pandemic began. Air Canada's nonstop service to Toronto and Delta Air Lines' nonstop route between MSP and Winnipeg resume this month.

AAA reports that the national average for gas prices, $3.14, is at its lowest since July, though it increased a penny Monday following Hurricane Ida.

The storm has likely taken offline 13% of U.S. refining capacity, according to AAA. Of the nine oil refineries in Ida's path, at least four were believed to have shut down operations ahead of the storm.

"Until the power is restored, it's too early to know the full impact of any damage Ida caused on the oil and gas industry, but motorists regionally can expect price fluctuations leading into Labor Day weekend," said AAA spokesperson Jeanette McGee in a news release.

Janet Moore • 612-673-7752

@ByJanetMoore