Spirit Airlines To Begin Service to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in May

MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, Mn Ultra low cost carrier Spirit Airlines announced today it will launch service between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and two of its focus cities, Chicago and Las Vegas, beginning May 31, 2012.

“I am very pleased to welcome Spirit Airlines to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and wish the airline every success here,” said Dan Boivin, chairman of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP and six general aviation airports in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. “Competition among airlines is good for consumers, and Spirit’s unique low-fare business model provides a valuable alternative for cost-conscious travelers. It is a goal of the MAC to expand choices for the consumer with more options to more destinations while maintaining our commitment to sound environmental stewardship.”

Spirit is famous not only for having one of the newest Airbus fleets in the Americas, but also for it’s a-la-carte approach to air fares, with super-low base ticket prices plus fees for the services travelers choose. The airline will offer three daily flights to Chicago O’Hare Airport and one to Las Vegas. From those cities, travelers can connect to 20 other destination around the nation. The flights will be operated with 178-seat Airbus A320 or 145-seat Airbus A319 aircraft.

MAC Executive Director Jeff Hamiel noted, “Spirit Airlines is the fourth new carrier to announce service at MSP since 2008, highlighting the strength of the Minneapolis-St. Paul market for business and leisure travel services. Spirit’s decision to join the MSP community further ensures the region will continue to enjoy not only some of the most abundant air service per capita in the nation but also healthy competition on key routes.”

Additional information about Spirit Airlines’ routes and fares are available at www.spirit.com.

Contacts
Metropolitan Airports Commission
Patrick Hogan, 612-726-5335

Reported by:  BusinessWire