This would actually be a POSITIVE move at MSP.

The current Humphrey Terminal opened in mid-2001, (designed to) catering to charter airlines. It was to have ten gates (expandable to, at the very least, 20) and two parking structures with more than 10,000 spaces but an eroding charter market (at one time, MSP was the largest but what’s left continues to dry up) meant the facility was completed with “just” eight gates and only one parking structure (note that when completed, the Humphrey Terminal Light Rail Station will border the vacant site of the second parking structure.)

The Humphrey Terminal has been a major money loser and MSP has twice considered (late last year as well as in late 2003) closing the facility. Interestingly enough, it was built with the facilities necessary to enable scheduled passenger airliners to set-up shop there. Indeed, MSP has tried (unsuccessfully) to lure scheduled passenger airliners into the facility (from the Lindbergh Terminal)

NW’s proposal is to complete (including 20+ gates and a second parking structure) and renovate the existing portion of the Humphrey Terminal for scheduled passenger airliners other than NW, DL, CO. In addition, the International Arrivals will be consolidated within the Lindbergh Terminal further saving MSP money.

The end result is that SkyTeam (and international) passengers will benefit from alleviated congestion within Lindbergh’s parking garages, security check-points and ticketing positions. A handful of gates will open up to NW for further expansion. NW could also implement technologies found within their current DTW facility. Non-SkyTeam (and international) passengers will also benefit from alleviated congestion, as well as much shorter transit times from the parking garage to their gate. In addition, the airlines making the transition to the Humphrey Terminal would have more gates available to them (collectively they currently utilize 10 gates, there would be 7 available if the airport proceeded and built the additional 12 gates, with the other three used by SY).