Minnesota-based airport operator the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is celebrating the opening of a new 3,500 ft runway at Lake Elmo airport (21D), one of the latest projects that supports growth in the region's aviation industry.

The new runway opened to air traffic on 20 July. Runway 14-32 is 650 ft longer than the airport's previous sole runway, which will be converted to a taxiway in the final phase of the project. MAC joined many neighbours, tenants and users of the airport in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new runway.

“This project was driven by our legislative mission to promote aviation to its fullest potential at all of our airports while minimising environmental impacts,” says MAC ceo Brian Ryks. “This new runway will be safer, more efficient and support the investments that businesses and tenants are also making at Lake Elmo airport.”

MAC's six general aviation airports are referred to as reliever airports within the Twin Cities metropolitan area because they relieve traffic that would otherwise impact Minneapolis-St Paul International airport, the 17th busiest passenger airport in North America. MAC's reliever airport system generates an estimated $756 million a year for the area economy and supports more than 4,600 jobs. Despite the pandemic, MAC reliever airports have seen double digit growth in the number of flights between 2019 and 2021, with operations surpassing 352,000 last year across the system.

Located between St Paul and the St Croix River, the Lake Elmo airport is a hub for recreational aircraft, business aviation and flight training. The airport supports more than 32,000 landings and take offs annually.

“Our reliever airports play an important role in the Twin Cities region, especially as we saw a resurgence in private business travel, recreational flying and flight training during the pandemic,” says MAC chair Rick King. “These infrastructure investments will help us better meet the needs of our strong and growing aviation community.”

Envisioned as a part of the Lake Elmo airport's 2016 long term plan, construction on the modernisation project began in 2019. The project also includes realigning an adjacent roadway, upgrading instrument approach technology, installing new lights and signage, and making other airfield safety improvements. The $23.9 million project was funded with more than $17.5 million in federal and state grants.

In the past five years, MAC has invested more than $50 million to provide a safe, efficient and modern reliever airport system. This includes preserving and enhancing runways, taxiways and taxilanes; adding energy-efficient lighting systems; improving navigation aids, facilities, equipment and fuelling; and conducting essential long term planning and environmental work. MAC completed a $7 million project at Crystal airport in 2020 for a major runway extension and airfield improvements. Future investments for airfield modifications and safety improvements have been recommended for Airlake airport in Lakeville, based on a long term plan approved by the MAC in April 2018.