The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), a public corporation of the state of Minnesota, operates a seven-airport system in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. In addition to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), the MAC operates six general aviation airports known as “reliever airports” because they help relieve congestion at MSP.

More than half of all registered aircraft in Minnesota are based at the MAC's reliever airports. By providing an alternative to MSP for private and corporate flights, the reliever airports increase the safety and efficiency of the entire airport system. Together, the reliever airports accommodate more than 400,000 aircraft operations per year. More than 1,600 aircraft are based at the airports, from antique and experimental aircraft, to modern propeller models, to the latest in corporate jet technology.

The reliever airports system supports more than 2,200 full time jobs in the area and generates more than $250 million in annual economic activity. At the same time, the airports address a variety of aviation needs, such as flight training, recreational flying, private business travel, military operations, and emergency medical transportation.

Anoka County-Blaine, Flying Cloud and St. Paul Downtown airports have a strong corporate aviation base, while Airlake, Crystal and Lake Elmo cater more to recreational and small business aviation needs. Each airport is unique, but all provide valuable resources for the metropolitan community, encouraging growth in commerce and jobs, providing green space and recreational opportunities, and boosting the area economy.