Posted on Apr 05, 2018
 
Brian Ryks
 
Greg LaMere introduced our speaker Lakeville native Brian Ryks, CEO and executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The board of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six general aviation airports in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
 
Over the course of his 30-year aviation career, Ryks has had a major impact at the airports he has led and in the industry as a whole and in 2016 & 2017 the Airports Council International names MSP the best airport in North America in its size category. The ranking is based on results of passenger surveys in 34 key performance areas through the global Airport Service Quality Program.
Ryks shared the MSP’s  has a $15.9 Billion total economic output and $7.1 Billion input to the state of Minnesota.  
 
Future of MSP airport includes:
  • Terminal 1 ticketing and baggage claim levels will be completely remodeled by 2010
  • Changes in elevator and escalator placements
  • InterContinental Hotel expected to be completed by June 2018
  • New parking ramp
     
Update on Airlake Airport:
The airport has seen a significant increase in operations due to growth in flight training.
Updates include:
  • Extended both runways ends for a runway length of 4,850 feet.
  • Displace Runway 12 end for additional airspace clearance over railroad track
  • Relocate 225th Street to accommodate runway changes
  • Modify some taxiway configurations
  • Develop the South Building Area and access roadway
  • Expand the aircraft parking apron