MSP Airport's Terminal 2 could double in size by 2040

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport officials plan to double the size of Terminal 2 by 2040 under a multi-phase expansion that is now underway.

Why it matters: The plan for Terminal 2 — the main hub for Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines — is part of a bigger vision to overhaul almost every corner of MSP. Officials want to make room for the 50% increase in passenger traffic that they expect over the next 14 years.

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Driving the news: On Thursday, the airport announced construction has begun on a $268 million project to add two gates, a larger waiting area, and more restrooms and concessions to the north end of Terminal 2. That project will wrap up in early 2027.

• Later this year, two new gates will also open on the south end of the terminal.

What they're saying: "This project is a long-term strategic investment to support our airlines, improve the passenger experience, and to keep pace with demand that fuels growth at MSP and in our local economy," Metropolitan Airports Commission CEO Brian Ryks said in a statement.

An overview of the Metropolitan Airports Commission's long-term plan for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Image: Courtesy of MAC

What we're watching: The first phase of the commission's newly adopted long-term plan for MSP focuses mostly on Terminal 2. It calls for:

• Nine more gates at the terminal's south end.
• A new, two-level roadway through the pickup-and-dropoff area.
• New and expanded parking facilities.

What's next: Additional phases promise to add nine more gates to the north end of Terminal 2, for a total of 36 gates by 2040.

• The plan also calls for an underground "people mover" to connect it with Terminal 1 behind airport security.

Plus: Officials plan big changes for Terminal 1, too. Concourse B would be demolished; Concourses A, E, and F would be rebuilt; and Concourse G's expansion would continue.

• Terminal 1's Green and Gold parking ramps will also be demolished and rebuilt, potentially to include a centralized facility for screening international passengers.

Our thought bubble: MSP has been named the best North American airport of its size in seven out of the last eight years , but the airport's managers don't seem content to rest on their laurels.