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Tag: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

  • Clergy members arrested at MSP while protesting ICE in Minneapolis

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    Dozens of faith leaders were arrested while protesting at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Friday, organizers say, as part of an effort to call for an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in the area.

    The protesters were calling on airlines, particularly Delta and Signature Aviation, to “stand with Minnesotans in calling for ICE to immediately end its surge in the state.” 

    They say an estimated 2,000 people have been deported through the airport. Metropolitan Airports Commission leaders say they cannot legally restrict access to the airport for public or private aircraft operations. 

    Union members also said 12 airport workers have been arrested by ICE. 

    WCCO


    Protesters sang and prayed together while sharing the stories of people who have been detained by ICE. During the protest, roughly 100 clergy members were arrested, organizers said. 

    The Metropolitan Airports Commission said it worked in advance with event organizers and provided a permit that determined a maximum number of protesters who could attend. The number of people in attendance “went beyond the agreed-upon terms,” MAC said.

    Airport police arrested approximately 100 people, MAC said, who were issued misdemeanor citations for trespassing and failing to comply with an officer. 

    Rev. Mariah Tollgaard, senior pastor of Hamline Church United Methodist in St. Paul, Minnesota, was one of the people arrested. She said that she felt it was her religious duty as a Christian to stand up for her neighbors amidst what she described as a federal occupation of her state.

    “This is an extreme moment in Minnesota, Tollgaard said. “The [Trump] administration would like us just to comply and let them do what they say they need to do, but we have seen time and time again they are arresting U.S. citizens, they are arresting people who have permission to be here.”

    In:

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    Aki Nace

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  • Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport sees hundreds of delays, over 50 cancellations Saturday night

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    Flight delays and cancellations continue to grow at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Saturday evening amid a winter storm.

    As of 7:15 p.m., the flight tracker website, FlightAware, shows 447 delays and 55 cancellations. 

    The widespread snowstorm caused a brief ground stop for certain flights at the airport. Flights have since resumed, but a ground delay remains, with flights to MSP delayed an average of 122 minutes due to snow or ice. 

    FAA


    The storm has caused many airlines across the country to delay or cancel flights. Nationwide, more than 2,400 flights were canceled. 

    Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport has seen similar cancellations and delays, with close to 1,200 cancellations. 

    Minnesota’s winter storm warning and winter weather advisory are expected to drop off at Midnight. Winds will continue in southern Minnesota. 

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    Chloe Rosen

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  • Kristi Noem delivers bonus checks to some MSP Airport TSA employees in move union calls

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    U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem returned to the Twin Cities on Sunday for the second time in a month.

    Noem stopped at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to deliver bonus checks to select TSA officers.

    “We have just endured the longest government shutdown in American history. It was 43 days where our federal government was shut down,” Noem said.

    In an effort to thank those who continued to work without pay during the shutdown, Noem hand delivered $10,000 bonus checks to 48 TSA employees who work at MSP Airport.

    “Ten-thousand dollars is going to help out a lot,” said TSA officer Jonathan Pringle.

    Alex Garcia has worked for TSA at the airport for 14 years.

    “One of the reasons I continue with the sacrifice is to ensure the safety of the traveling public,” Garcia said. “Ever since my service in the Marine Corp., I was called to something bigger than me.”

    Employee Steven Grubb said he struggled to afford basic needs during the shutdown.

    “The bane of my existence coming here everyday, driving here 45 minutes, was the distance to ’empty’ on my vehicle, and so I’m very grateful to everyone and I’m very grateful for this bonus,” Grubb said.

    Local 899 Airport Screeners Union argues these bonuses are illegal and only rewarded 7% of the MSP workforce. In a statement, union treasurer Neal Gosman said in part: “Nearly every TSO showed up consistently to maintain the security of the travelling public during the shutdown. The process of making these awards completely bypassed local management involvement and participation with the union.”

    WCCO asked Noem why some staff were excluded from the bonus, and she said they went to staff nominated for the reward.

    “Those nominations happen at the local level, where they serve and the individuals that they work with, also their leadership team,” Noem said. “It’s been applied equally across the department.”

    The union says they are donating more than $2,000 across local food shelves in Midwest states where they serve, including Minnesota. They said this donation is to thank TSO employees who worked during the shutdown.

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    Marielle Mohs

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  • MSP Airport food service workers reach tentative deal, avert Thanksgiving week strike

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    More than 200 food service workers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport say they’ve reached a tentative agreement with their employer, averting a strike.

    The food service workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 17, said their contract with HMSHost had expired last December. Both parties had been negotiating for a new one for 11 months.

    On Monday, workers said they would go on strike three days before Thanksgiving if they didn’t reach a deal. A no-strike clause with HMSHost had expired in May.

    Friday, the union announced that they had reached a tentative agreement with HMSHost, calling it “historic.”

    The agreement includes the highest wage increases they’ve seen at the airport, according to the union. Workers were also fighting for lower health insurance costs and better paid time off wages for workers who receive tips.

    AAA said about 6.1 million Americans are planning to fly during the week of Thanksgiving, which is 2% more than last year. 

    WCCO has reached out to HMSHost for comment.

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    WCCO Staff

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  • Weekend I-494 closures to impact MSP Airport access

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    Those traveling to and from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport this weekend are encouraged to plan ahead due to some big closures along Interstate 494.

    The Minnesota Department of Transportation says starting Friday at 10 p.m., the westbound lanes of I-494 will be shut down between Highway 77 and Highway 100. The ramps along that stretch will close at 8 p.m. Westbound lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.

    As a detour, MnDOT says westbound motorists can use northbound Hwy. 77 to westbound Hwy. 62, then southbound Hwy. 100 to westbound I-494.

    Then Saturday at 10 p.m. the eastbound lanes of I-494 will close between Interstate 35W and Hwy. 77 for utility work. All ramps will also be closed. Eastbound lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Sunday.

    MnDOT says eastbound motorists can detour via northbound I-35W to eastbound Hwy. 62, then to southbound Hwy. 77 to eastbound I-494. All detours will be posted.

    The work is being done to “allow crews to continue construction along I-494 and prepare for winter configuration,” according to MnDOT.

    Find current traffic updates on MnDOT’s 511 website.

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    WCCO Staff

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  • Flight cancellations begin at MSP Airport amid FAA’s cuts to air traffic

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    The Federal Aviation Administration plans to slash airline capacity at dozens of U.S. airports because of the ongoing government shutdown, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

    The list said MSP is one of the 40 areas that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said will have their air traffic cut by 10% in the coming days. Duffy said the cause of the cuts is a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are working without pay because of the shutdown.

    In a statement, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which operates MSP, said it was aware of the reduction plans but didn’t have any information about local impacts.

    “Travelers are encouraged to stay connected with their airline for the latest flight information,” the commission said.

    The FAA says cuts will begin Friday and reach the full 10% mark by next week. 

    As of 10:45 a.m. Friday, there were 15 cancellations at MSP — eight departures and seven arrivals.

    The planned reductions come weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday, during which AAA forecasts 2.4 million Americans plan to take a flight.

    A spokesperson for Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines said the airline will be adjusting flight schedules beginning Friday. 

    “We expect impacts to our customers’ travel and will directly contact our customers whose flights are impacted,” the spokesperson wrote.

    Delta Airlines said it will be canceling approximately 170 flights nationwide on Friday, and United says it will cut about 200. Sun Country says it will be adjusting flights and will directly contact customers impacted.

    A group of professors and nursing students from the College of Saint Benedict, who are catching a connecting flight to Zambia said they are nervous they wont have a return flight home in two weeks.

    “I hope this all gets resolved before we get back,” said Mary Zelenak, one of the professors traveling to Zambia.

    Domestic travelers are nervous as well.

    “I’m going to sunny Las Vegas and I hope to come home,” said Joe Harewicz from Minneapolis. “I’m in Vegas, rolling the dice whether I get home or not.”

    According to Airports Council International, MSP saw the 18th-most passengers among U.S. airports in 2024 — more than 37 million people traveled through it.

    The shutdown is on its 37th day as of Thursday, making it the longest in U.S. history. The previous record was set in 2019, during President Trump’s first term.

    “I think they just gotta end this shutdown, it’s gotta be over,” Mork said. “I mean, lots of different reasons, but SNAP and different benefits like that lapsing is horrible and airport travel has been a nightmare this year. So they just, they need to end the shutdown.” 

    Gunnar Olson with Thrifty Traveler says when flights are canceled, passengers have rights.

    “Airlines are being a little more lenient with refund requests. Go ahead and get a refund,” he said.

    Kris Van Cleave

    contributed to this report.

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    Anthony Bettin

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  • Delta flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport suspends takeoff due to mechanical issue

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    A mechanical issue caused the takeoff of a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to be suspended on Thursday, the company said in a statement.

    Delta flight 1661 was moving on the tarmac and in the process of taking off for Portland, Oregon, when the mechanical issue happened.

    According to Delta, the plane returned to the gate and travelers were put on another plane, which landed in Portland International Airport around two hours after it was originally scheduled to arrive. 

    “We apologize to our customers for their delay in travel,” Delta said in a written statement.

    Last month, a Delta flight had to abort a takeoff from MSP due to a window in the cockpit coming open. The flight, which was carrying around 150 passengers and six crew members at the time of the incident, was heading to Las Vegas.

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    Nick Lentz

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  • What to expect at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport for MEA travel: TSA staffing, new FLEX lane

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    The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is bracing for an influx of passengers, fueled in part by the statewide MEA week.

    The ongoing government shutdown has led to delays at several airports across the country, but officials with MSP Airport say the local impact has been “minimal.”

    That’ll be put to the test for MEA weekend, when the number of travelers passing through Transportation Security Administration lines is expected to increase 19% compared to average. Last year, a record 300,000 travelers went through the airport for the weekend.

    Airport officials say the busiest day is forecasted to be Thursday, with 52,000 people expected to go through security. The second-busiest day will likely be Wednesday.

    “While there have been minimal impacts so far at MSP, passengers may experience delays and longer wait times wherever they fly in the days ahead,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP.

    The airlines and the airports commission have increased staffing levels to help reduce wait times. Still, in order to make sure passengers don’t miss their flights, officials recommend arriving two hours before a domestic departure and three hours prior to an international trip. 

    In order to help with the rush of passengers, the airport is debuting a new drop-off and pickup lane at Terminal 1. 

    Dubbed the “FLEX Lane,” the route is on the left side of the Terminal 1 departures drive. Passengers can access the terminal by going through doors five through eight, traveling up a flight either by escalator or elevator, and then walking through a short skyway. 

    WCCO


    Security wait times on Wednesday have been smooth so far.

    Dylan Koncan and his family, who are traveling to Spokane, Washington, for the weekend, said they were pleasantly surprised to see the airport so calm.

    “Surprisingly better than I thought,” Koncan said. “I thought it was going to be way busy so we came here a little bit earlier than normal but operation as normal it looks like.”

    To make travel smooth, officials also recommend reserving a spot in the security line in advance, prebooking parking and checking security wait times for both checkpoints, as the North site often has shorter wait times.

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    Aki Nace

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  • The government shutdown is impacting air travel around the country. Here’s what to know before MEA weekend.

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    One week into the federal government shutdown, there’s growing concern for anyone getting on an airplane anytime soon.

    Shutdowns and delays are already happening at airports across the country. With the Minnesota Education Association conference — best known as MEA weekend — just a little more than eight days away, families trying to get out of town will be packed out at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

    There are concerns as the shutdown drags on, air travel could be significantly disrupted.

    At the airport on Monday in Burbank, California, no one was in the air traffic control tower for four hours and pilots were redirected.

    Shutdown sick calls have created delays at six airports around the country.

    Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy says the FAA is making contingency plans. 

    “If we have additional sick calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that is safe,” Duffy said.

    While delays have been at a minimum at MSP, there are already concerns about next week for the MEA weekend. 

    “I do have concerns with the shutdown, especially with some of our TSA agents not getting paid and some of our air traffic controllers not getting paid. It’s definitely concerning,” India Riggins said.

    “I have double concerns with air traffic and the national parks,” Erin Sutherland said. I’m concerned I may not be able to get home as easily. I am just kind of hoping for the best  …”

    Last year, during the MEA break, a record 300,000 travelers went through MSP. 

    Twin Cities-based Thrifty Traveler Kyle Potter says it’s inevitable that delays will grow as the shutdown drags on.

    “Cracks are starting to show. I think there is cause for concern,” Potter said. “It’s too early to panic and say that, you know, air travel is going to be a mess later this week or next week. We don’t know that yet, but clearly problems are starting to mount.”

    Potter suggests that if you are still making travel plans, make sure you get a ticket that can be refunded. If you have travel insurance, check it because it may not cover everything. And if you don’t have travel insurance, you may want to get it.    

    Esme Murphy

    Esme Murphy, a reporter and Sunday morning anchor for WCCO-TV, has been a member of the WCCO-TV staff since December 1990. She is also a weekend talk show host on WCCO Radio. Born and raised in New York City, Esme ventured into reporting after graduating from Harvard University.

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    Esme Murphy

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  • Spirit to end service at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

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    How domestic air travel has changed



    Spirit says low demand for domestic leisure travel contributing to business concerns

    03:36

    Spirit says it will be ending flight service at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Dec. 1 as part of the airline’s “ongoing restructuring,” the company told WCCO on Friday. 

    The announcement comes four weeks after the company said it was filing for bankruptcy, marking the second time Spirit has done so in less than a year.

    “We apologize to our Guests for any inconvenience and will reach out to those with affected reservations to issue a refund,” the airline said in a written statement.

    According to Spirit, the airline will halt service in 11 U.S. cities on Oct. 2 and cease plans to launch service in Macon, Georgia. They will also no longer fly to Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, beginning Oct. 31.

    “While we routinely evaluate and adjust our network as appropriate, we do not anticipate any additional airport exits in the near future,” the airline told WCCO.  

    On Monday, a spokesperson for Spirit confirmed to CBS News that it would be laying off around one-third of its 5,200 flight attendants. The Wall Street Journal first reported the airline’s plan to furlough workers.   

    Spirit serves dozens of cities in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, according to its website.

    The airline on Sept. 18 said it was planning to cut its capacity by about 25% in November as part of its restructuring plan.

    Note: The above video aired on Aug. 13, 2025. 

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    Nick Lentz

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  • Stolen vehicle chase ends in arrests at MSP Airport ramp

    Stolen vehicle chase ends in arrests at MSP Airport ramp

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    Minnesotans donate to hurricane recovery efforts, and more headlines


    Minnesotans donate to hurricane recovery efforts, and more headlines

    03:27

    MINNEAPOLIS — Suspects in a stolen vehicle led police on a chase that ended at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday night.

    Airport officials say police were chasing the vehicle, which was reported stolen from Eagan.

    Just before 7 p.m., the suspects drove into the airport’s Silver Ramp, with police soon arresting two passengers inside and a third outside the ramp.

    Officials say the incident shut down the METRO Blue Line for about 20 minutes.

    WCCO Staff


    512-appicon-minnesota.png

    The WCCO Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on WCCO.com.

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  • Former MSP Airport Chick-fil-A manager pleads guilty to stealing $144K, spending money on Only Fans

    Former MSP Airport Chick-fil-A manager pleads guilty to stealing $144K, spending money on Only Fans

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    MSP Airport Chick-fil-A manager pleads guilty to embezzling $144K, spending money on Only Fans


    MSP Airport Chick-fil-A manager pleads guilty to embezzling $144K, spending money on Only Fans

    00:15

    MINNEAPOLIS — A former Chick-fil-A manager at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $150,000 from the restaurant.

    According to charging documents, Timothy Hill Jr. of Woodbury embezzled roughly $144,000 during a 13-month period, spending the money on jewelry and OnlyFans. He was later indicted by a grand jury with five counts of wire fraud.

    On Thursday, Hill entered a guilty plea to one count of wire fraud, with the rest of the charges being dismissed.

    Between September of 2022 and October of 2023, he collected cash from the Chick-fil-A and the Settebello Pizzeria at MSP, which are owned by the same company, and pocketed it instead of depositing it in a safety deposit box, charges say.

    Documents say that he used cash receipts to cover up past thefts, and tried to insinuate that the deposits were delayed, not stolen.

    Hill then spent the cash on jewelry, online sports books and OnlyFans. He also sent tens of thousands of dollars through Cash App to multiple female MSP workers in exchange for personal photographs and videos, charges state.

    A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.  

    Cole Premo

    Cole Premo is digital manager for CBS Minnesota. For more than a decade, he’s been covering breaking news and weather, daily topics, stories from the Native community and more in Minnesota.

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