Thousands of travelers are expected to move through the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) this week as educators across the state attend an annual conference.
Most Minnesota students are off Thursday and Friday for the annual Minnesota Educators Academy (MEA) conference.
MSP expects 50,000 people to pass through security on both Wednesday and Thursday, with another 44,000 people forecast at the airport on Sunday.
This weekend is typically one of the airport’s busiest times of year.
“We’re expecting about 16% more travel activity, more passengers in the terminals than we’ve had over the last four or five weeks of fall,” said Jeff Lea, airport spokesperson.
An extra few days off school is a chance to get away, but some will be staying closer to home.
“I feel like flights are impossible to find right now,” said Anna Scheuring, from Mendota Heights. “I went to Colorado a few weeks ago, and I feel like that was always the easy button, the inexpensive flight, and it was just a terrible, terrible price.”
The higher cost of airfare, gas, and food is forcing some families to be intentional when they book a trip.
“It’s significant, so we have to ensure that we take the trips we must take and then we’ll have to wait for what happens on the global stage to hopefully lower the cost of everything,” said Rohan DeSilva, who is visiting the Twin Cities from the New York metro area. “We were planning a trip to maybe Europe for Christmas with our family, but now that doesn’t seem to be possible because there’s six of us and it’s a lot.”
Travel projections over the MEA break are slightly down from last year.
“Down by a percentage point, I think,” said Lea, who acknowledged there are industry headwinds. “Airlines are facing higher fuel prices, the economy.”
Explore Minnesota has a guide for those staying close to home, from theaters and resorts to free options.
“We know it’s expensive for families,” said Christopher Morgan, the communications supervisor for Explore Minnesota. “There’s things in the metro area and greater Minnesota that are actually free. Mississippi Gateway and Orenstone, which are both public parks and free for folks and great for families to enjoy, and there’s troll hunts that are close by that cost nothing but some gas money.”
What should travelers know?
Airport officials said travelers should arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international. Travelers can use MSP Reserve to secure a free spot in the security line.
Meanwhile, MSP said road work near Post Road may slow drivers picking up arriving passengers near the airport’s cell phone waiting lots. The airport recommends arriving from the west and 34th Avenue.
MSP also requires reservations for its Quick Ride Ramp through Oct. 17 because of high parking demand. To help manage traffic, the airport encourages drivers to use overflow pickup and drop-off areas at Terminal 1 and the express lane at Terminal 2.
The airport is also hosting several events during the busy travel period, including family activities in both terminals.
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Source: kstp.com
