St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP): Complete Guide to Holman Field, History & Facilities

In need of an easy-to-use and efficient aviation hub in Minnesota, the St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP), also referred to as Holman Field, is a well-known reliever airport in the Twin Cities aviation system. This airport is situated right across the Mississippi River from downtown Saint Paul and is important in serving general aviation, corporate travel, and military operations in the Twin Cities area.

Although the operations of larger airports are associated with commercial traffic, STP is one of the most important reliever airports that ensures that air traffic moves without problems in the region, supporting the operations of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.

Overview Of St. Paul Downtown Airport 

The Metropolitan Airports Commission manages St. Paul Downtown Airport, which is a hub to:

• Corporate aviation

• Flight training schools

• Minnesota Army National Guard aviation unit. 

• General aviation and transient aircraft.

The airport is spread over a total of 540 acres and has three well-maintained asphalt runways serving different aircraft types and can accommodate a wide range of aircraft, including business jets, turboprops, helicopters, and military aircraft, large or small, single-engine planes, as well as personal jets or military helicopters.

Rich history 

The history of Holman Field is rich in aviation history. The airport is named after Charles W. Speed Holman, a great pioneer in aviation and a stunt pilot. Incidentally, due to his bold demonstrations, Holman made a world record by concurrently doing 1,433 loops in a span of five hours only- a feat that continues to impress the imagination of aviation enthusiasts.

The airport was very important in aircraft modification during World War II. Thousands of workers were employed on the site by Northwest Airlines as it converted B-24 Liberator bombers and fitted some with sophisticated radar equipment, such as the H2X, crucial in operation in Europe.

The airport did not stop at making a cultural appearance, even as a filming site in the movie Slaughterhouse-Five, and this gave the place a special cinematic touch to its heritage.

Facilities and Aircraft Operations

The airport has three runways:

• Runway 14/32 - the longest, with capacity to hold larger aircraft.

• Runway 13/31 – mid-sized operations

• Runway 9/27 - small aircraft runway.

The airport is an average mix of general aviation, military, and air taxi. Although aircraft movements decreased between 2011 and 2020, the recent years have demonstrated that aircraft activity is recovering, and a new wave of demand toward both personal and corporate aviation is emerging.

According to the latest statistics, over 100 aircraft are based at the airport, including jets, helicopters, and military units, which is why it is a dynamic environment in the aviation industry.

Charter services and Business Aviation

St. Paul Downtown Airport is especially known to be used for private and charter flights. Companies such as:

• NetJets

• Executive Jet Management

• Best Jets International

• Delta Private Jets

Provide charter services at a premium price, which means that STP is a great option among business travelers who want to be flexible, private, and arrive within minutes in downtown Saint Paul.

The Airport Historic Landmarks 

Two historically important structures at the airport are on the National Register of Historic Places:

• Holman Field Administration Building (1939)

• Riverside Hangar (1942)

These milestones indicate the long history of the airport regarding the aviation industry and its significance in wartime activities.

Flood Protection and Current Difficulties.

Floods have been a common issue at St. Paul Downtown Airport due to its location close to the Mississippi River. Following a series of floods in the 1990s and early 2000s, in 2009, a contemporary solution was introduced: a removable flood wall system.

This new construction is only put in place during high-risk floods, which saves scenic views of rivers and saves important airport infrastructure. It is a viable trade-off between functionality and aesthetics, including issues of both advocates and opponents.

Why St. Paul Downtown Airport Is Important

The St. Paul Downtown Airport might not be a commercial airline airport, but its value cannot be overestimated. It supports:

• Business travel and local businesses. 

• Military preparedness via National Guard operations. 

• Flight training and aviation development.

• Less traffic at bigger airports.

To travelers, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts, STP provides a distinction in history, efficiency, and accessibility.

Final Thoughts

You may be a business traveler flying privately, you may be a student pilot in training, or you may be just an aviation enthusiast, but St. Paul Downtown Airport is a very important component of the Minnesota aviation network. It is not merely a reliever airport but rather a pillar of the airspace of the Twin Cities because of its strategic location, rich history, and modern facilities.

Unless you are unfamiliar with STP, it is worth considering in case you plan aviation activities in Minnesota.