MSP expects 4% holiday travel increase
The Metropolitan Airports Commission says Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport will see about a 4% year-over-year rise in holiday traffic, with roughly 763,000 passengers expected to clear security and about 1.8 million total travelers from Dec. 19, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026. The busiest pre-Christmas day is forecast to be Friday, Dec. 19 (nearly 43,000 screenings; 445 departures), with even higher post-holiday screening volumes topping 50,000 on Dec. 26 and Dec. 28; travelers should expect busy roadways, ramps and terminals.
📊 Relevant Data
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport passenger traffic totaled 37.2 million in 2024, marking a 6.9% increase over 2023.
News Releases — MSP Airport
In 2019, MSP Airport handled 39.5 million passengers, before dropping to 14.9 million in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Air Travel Trends — Greater MSP
AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the year-end holiday period in 2025, a 2.2% increase from the previous year.
Year-End Holiday Travel Expected to Set New Record — AAA Newsroom
The renovation of MSP's Terminal 1 is part of a decade of improvements to elevate customer service and accommodate future growth.
MSP Terminal 1: A leap into the modern era — Metropolitan Airports Commission
📌 Key Facts
- Timeframe: Dec. 19, 2025–Jan. 5, 2026 (18 days)
- Screenings: ~763,000; total travelers (inbound/connecting included): ~1.8 million
- Peak days: Dec. 19 (~43,000 screened; 445 departures), Dec. 26 and Dec. 28 (50,000+ screened each day)
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