New security checkpoint under construction
MINNEAPOLIS - The Humphrey terminal at Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport is going through some growing pains. Apparently, the terminal's facilities are not adequate for the volume of passengers it is receiving.
The Terminal 2-Humphrey terminal has seen passenger traffic rise from 1.6 million in 2008 to 3 million in 2011. Much of the growth can be attributed to the addition of Southwest Airlines to the terminal's mix of airlines.
"This terminal, when it was first designed, was developed to be a charter terminal," explained Patrick Hogan, Metropolitan Airports Commission Director of Public Affairs. "But today, it is really a major terminal for low fare airlines here at MSP."
Southwest Airlines surpassed hometown airline Sun Country as the airport's second largest passenger volume carrier in 2011. Only Delta, which dominates the larger Terminal 1-Lindbergh terminal, flies more passengers to and from the Twin Cities.
The increased passenger traffic is good news for the airport's "other" terminal. The bad news is the need to add more facilities. "We are expanding the terminal," said Hogan. "Last year, we opened a second skyway to the terminal from parking."
The $12 million second skyway includes three new moving sidewalks that carry passengers from the new "value" parking ramp to the terminal or move travelers from the terminal to the light rail station. There is no fare for light rail passengers between the two terminals.
The new skyway also means that passengers with light baggage who need to transfer to flights at the larger terminal are in heated, indoor accommodations until they reach the outdoor light rail stop.
A major issue for the Humphrey terminal presently is the "road-jam" of passengers trying to get through the terminal's one security checkpoint.
"During most of the day, you can get through the security here in about 10-15 minutes, but in the early morning hours, it can take 40-45 minutes, so people need to keep that in mind when they are planning how early to get here," said Hogan.
Hogan added that relief is on the horizon. "This year, we are in the process of building a second security checkpoint. That should open in October." The new $14 million checkpoint is located at the terminal end of the new skyway.
The new skyway and checkpoint could also accommodate an expansion of airplane docking gates, should the MAC decide to add to the present 10 gates. If the Humphrey terminal were to add another carrier to its growing list of airlines, there is room for as many as 17 additional gates.
(Copyright 2012 by KARE 11. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)