Uh-oh, time for our daily ‘MSP is underserved and overpriced! (We need jetBlue service to Amsterdam)’ thread.
* MSP enjoys a tremendous level of air service. This attracts business (start-up & relocation + attraction of conventions / routine business) and brings millions of connecting passengers (not only does the airport collect fees per passenger, the passengers spend money in various retail venues). The airport also collects fees per flights.
* MSP employees a large, disproportionate (in retaliative to other hub carriers & the employees/types of employees employed in various hub cities) number of NW employees.
When you have an operation that pumps tens of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs into your economy, you should expect to pay a premium for it.
(And BTW, the Star-Tribue is about as fair and unbias to NW as Bill O'Reilly is to the Democratic Party.)