Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has been named one of the most punctual airports in the world by the OAG Punctuality League, which ranks on-time performance of the world's largest airlines and airports.

MSP came in first for the percentage of flights that stuck to schedule in the "Major Airports" category. Nearly 86 percent of flights operating at MSP arrive or depart on schedule, and that makes it one of the most punctual airports in the world.

The numbers from the 2018 punctuality report, which draws on flight records from last year, were slightly improved from the 84 percent in OAG's 2017 report.

MSP also garnered these two recent infrastructure rankings:

• Top North American Airport – 25-40 million passengers per year category (Air Transportation Research Society, 2017)
• Best Airport in North America – 25-40 million passengers per year category (Airports Council International, 2016)

With Smart Glasses, Getting Around MSP is Easier, Too

Working with the Travelers with Disabilities Task Force, MSP has created a number of accessibility services at MSP. Accessibility services are highlighted on online maps for each terminal. The Airport Information and Paging Office, and Travelers Assistance volunteers are available to assist and answer questions. The Navigating MSP Program helps ease the anxiety for parents with special-needs children to experience ‘practice runs’ through the airport.

With the introduction of smart glasses, MSP has taken another step to ensuring they’re one of the world’s most accessible airports. Used by individuals who are visually impaired, smart glasses are fitted with a camera that feeds high-definition photos and videos to an off-site human assistant. The assistant watches the live stream and in real time over the phone gives the traveler a description of what’s in the camera’s field of vision to navigate the way through the airport.

Aira, which makes the app, is a subscription service, but the cost will be covered by the Metropolitan Airports Commission for anybody using the service at MSP.

MSP joins Memphis in offering Aira’s ‘eyes on demand,’ with more airports expected to offer the service this year.

“We applaud MSP for investing in innovative solutions that make the airport more accessible and easy to navigate for travelers who are blind, DeafBlind, or visually impaired,” said Jon Benson, Deputy Director, State Services for the Blind.

Going Places with SSB

“Our consumers lead busy, successful lives and use the airport for both leisure and business travel,” Benson continued. SSB provides tools and training, including skill-building for travel, helping consumers to find jobs and live independently.

Travel-related programming is available for armchair travelers who listen to the Radio Talking Book, a free, closed-circuit news and information radio reading service that broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. World Safari, a broadcast about travel, airs at 3 p.m., every Monday; and National Geographic airs at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays.

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