b'Reliever AirportsThe Metropolitan Airport Commissions six general aviation airportsreferred to as the reliever airportsplay a vital role in the MACs seven-airport system. They are called relievers because they relieve aircraft congestion at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). They also serve as home base for many businesses, as well as a Minnesota National Guard unit, Minnesota State Patrol planes and helicopters, several flight schools, and many private pilots. In addition, corporate aircraft from companies large and small make their home at these airports.Together the Reliever Airports logged319,663 takeoffs and landings in 2019the equivalentof 79 percent of the 406,073 operations at MSP. The Reliever Airports also play a key part in ensuring the Twin Cities can efficiently host large events like the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament held in Minneapolis in April 2019. Private jets carrying fans flew directly into five of the MACs Reliever Airports, with Flying Cloud and St. Paul Downtown accommodatingthe majority.In 2019, the MAC invested about $15 million in capital improvement projects at its Reliever Airportsmostly to improve runways, taxiways and roads; upgrade lighting; make improvements to the historic terminal building at St. Paul Downtown Airport; and develop land for additional hangars.Learn more about the MACs Reliever Airports at: metroairports.org/general-aviation21'