The largest ever interior renovation of concourses and passenger gate areas at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s (MSP) Terminal 1 is now moving into the second phase of the construction program.

Construction crews this week began work in Concourse C as part of the $242 million Airport Modernization Program (AMP) managed by Delta Air Lines in partnership with the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). The three-year program will deliver a unified and modern design across six of the terminal’s seven concourses and approximately 75 Delta gate hold rooms. The first phase of the project began in concourses D and F in November 2023.

“Above the ceiling upgrades have been the primary focus so far in concourses D and F in the first several months of the program,” said Bridget Rief, vice president of airport development and planning at the MAC, which owns and operates MSP. “Work is now transitioning to more visible improvements going forward including new carpet or terrazzo flooring, painting and wall enhancements, as well as new podiums, signage and seating in gate areas, all of which will help provide a more exceptional airport experience for our passengers.”

“The Airport Modernization Program is moving into its second phase of updating the terminal and elevating the travel experience for our MSP customers,” said Jeannine Ashworth, V.P. of Delta Operations at MSP. “We are grateful for our partnership with the MAC as we work together to establish a seamless and consistent travel experience, no matter which concourse your journey begins.”

Delta’s gates remain open during the construction, with the most intense construction work scheduled during overnight hours. The Concourse C work will cover nearly 193,000 square feet and 28 gates. The ceiling and building system work in this concourse will occur in phases. As part of this project, the full length of the concourse C corridor will be upgraded from carpet to terrazzo. Other improvements will be consistent with the program’s design goals across MAC and Delta operational areas.

AMP improvements include:

• Technology upgrades that include dynamic flight information screens along concourse walkways at every gate
• Full refresh of 75 Delta gate areas
• New gate seating with power outlets
• Brighter, more modern and sustainable LED lighting in concourse walkways and gate areas
• Installation of more accessible and durable terrazzo flooring in concourses C, D and G; and new carpet in concourses A, B, and F
• New wall finishes, including quarter-height granite in public corridors and tile in Delta gate areas
• Metal panel ceiling system in most concourse walkways
• New structural column covers
• New carpeting in gate areas to mirror experience at other Delta hub airports
• Updated gate information display screens
•  Refreshed Delta branding across all gate areas

Phase two work in Concourse C will be completed by the end of 2024. Along with those improvements, the MAC is also investing $6.5 million to improve ramp and jet bridge alignments in concourses B and C that will result in four fewer gates. This realignment is necessary because the existing alignments were designed to serve smaller regional jets. The gate consolidation and jet bridge improvements will enable Delta to serve larger aircraft and more passengers from those concourse areas.

The final phase of the AMP work will begin in 2025 on concourses A, B and G and the skybridge connecting concourses C and G. The MAC is investing $182.5 million in the program; Delta is contributing $60 million.

About The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) owns and operates one of the nation’s largest airport systems, including Minneapolis-St Paul International (MSP) and six general aviation airports. The MAC’s airports connect the region to the world and showcase Minnesota’s extraordinary culture to millions of passengers from around the globe who arrive or depart through MAC airports each year. Though a public corporation of the state of Minnesota, the organization is not funded by income or property taxes. Instead, the MAC’s operations are funded by rents and fees generated by users of its airports. For more information, visit www.metroairports.org.

Featured image credited to Delta Air Lines/the Metropolitan Airports Commission