Four new aircraft gates opened last week at MSP's Terminal 2, bringing the total number of gates to 14 and providing space for the increasing flight activity and passenger volume at the terminal.
A crowd of more than 40 people – plus dozens of passengers catching a Sun Country flight at some of the new gates – attended a grand opening ceremony this morning in Terminal 2. The terminal was busy with passenger traffic tied to the long MEA weekend which means school is out.
New passenger amenities at Terminal 2 are also part of the project, including a lactation room, a nursing mothers' room and an indoor pet/service animal relief area.
The newly expanded gate area makes room for existing airlines to expand and for new airlines to enter the Minneapolis-St. Paul market.
"Air service competition helps keep fares low and options plentiful for both business and leisure travelers," said Brian Ryks, executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. "This addition ensures we can accommodate increased competition at MSP."
Jerry Fuller, senior director at Sun Country Airlines, said the addition to Terminal 2 will help travelers' trip experiences start off right. "The amenities now at this terminal are world class," he told the crowd gathered for the grand opening.
The grand opening today featured animals from the Minnesota Zoo, which attracted dozens of passengers while they waited for flights, and a face painter for the many children traveling as part of the MEA weekend.
New artwork is also included in the Terminal 2 expansion, featuring mosaics in the entry area of the new restrooms and other signature pieces that will be installed by the holiday season, said Robyne Robinson, the arts and culture director at the Airport Foundation MSP.
The new gates H11-H14 are also flanked by a "green" roof that can be viewed through tall glass walls. The roof contains a variety of native plants and helps reduce rainwater runoff and reduces CO2 levels in the air.
Contractors and consulting firms that worked on the project include: Miller Dunwiddie Architects, Michaud Cooley Erickson, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Meyer Borgman Johnson, Faith Group, Kraus-Anderson Construction and Knutson Construction.
