Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

IMO FCO is an odd choice for MSP. It's not a big O&D market and future partner status with AZ might become an issue as AZ gets closer to the ME3, which are not connections that DL would want to encourage for its passengers.

Personally if I were going to any place not within easy train or driving distance of FCO, this is one of the last European airports I would voluntarily choose for onward connections. It's a big mess, even without fire damage to a terminal. Moreover domestic AZ flights are coach only while DL upgrade instruments cannot be used for AZ connections through FCO (versus KLM connections through AMS).