People arriving at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for next
week’s Republican National Convention will
receive a warm, personal welcome from dozens of roving volunteers and
festive red, white and blue decorations.
“The airport is the first and last place in
Minnesota most conventioneers will see, and we want the experience to be
positive and to reflect well on the state as a whole,”
said Jeff Hamiel, executive director of the Metropolitan Airports
Commission. “We worked with the non-partisan
Convention Host Committee to integrate the airport into metro-wide
welcome and transportation plans. Our goal is to ensure visitors have a
seamless airport experience and hopefully get a sense of the state and
the community while they’re here.”
Photos featuring scenes from Minnesota are on display in a comfortable
seating area above Ike’s restaurant and on
Concourse C, near TGI Friday’s. The photos
were provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism. Minnesota-based
musicians will perform at various locations in the airport as part of
the non-profit Airport Foundation MSP’s arts
and culture program.
A new pre-security Houlihan’s opened this
week in the Lindbergh Terminal Ticketing Lobby, near Checkpoint 1. The
full-service restaurant is accessible to everyone, whether or not they
are flying, and provides an ideal venue to meet arriving friends and
family or see them off in style.
Labor Day week is traditionally a slow travel period, so ample parking
space is expected at both MSP terminals.
Peak convention travel days are expected to be August 30 and September
5. The Transportation Security Administration has staffed up for maximum
screening capacity, and few convention-related flight delays are
expected.
An unprecedented level of security is in place at the airport.
“Airport police met with state, federal and
local law enforcement agencies for nearly two years to develop and
implement a comprehensive security plan for continued safe, efficient
airport operations,” Hamiel said. “Travelers
will notice increased police presence on and around the airport, extra
K-9 teams, and new electronic screening devices that can identify anyone
carrying possible explosives.”
Some roadways will be impacted. Post Road will be closed to through
traffic from 6 a.m., August 30 until 6 a.m., September 6. Only drivers
with a demonstrated business need will be allowed access past the
roadway checkpoints. The airport’s cell phone
waiting lot, located off Post Road, will be closed during that timeframe
as well. In addition, parking will be prohibited on both sides of 28th
Avenue south of Highway 62. Additional security measures could be
instituted as the week unfolds.
“If you’re coming
to MSP in the next week, allow a little extra time for the unexpected
and know we’re making every effort to get you
smoothly on your way,” Hamiel said.
Metropolitan Airports Commission
Patrick Hogan, 612-726-5335
