Rochester International Airport

What Rochester International Airport does

Rochester International Airport (RST) is a publicly-owned municipal airport located in Rochester, Minnesota, serving Southeast Minnesota and the border regions of Iowa and Wisconsin. The airport is owned by the City of Rochester and operated by Rochester Airport Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mayo Clinic, giving it a unique ownership structure in which the nation's largest medical destination's parent organization runs the regional air gateway. RST provides scheduled commercial passenger service via American Airlines (four daily flights to Chicago O'Hare), Delta Air Lines (three daily flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul), and United Airlines (three daily flights to Chicago O'Hare launching June 2026) to a catchment of approximately 800,000 people within a 75-minute drive. Mayo Clinic's 3 million annual patient visits and 42,000+ employees generate substantial year-round medical and business travel demand that anchors the airport's value proposition around proximity (15 minutes from terminal to clinic) and medical-traveler-focused amenities such as Quiet Rooms, on-demand interpretation services, and pet therapy programs.

The airport's technical platform centers on a Category II Instrument Landing System completed in June 2024 that enables all-weather landings down to 1,200 feet horizontal and 100 feet vertical ceiling, supported by an ALSF-2 High Intensity Approach Lighting System. Infrastructure scale includes over 330,000 square feet of usable cargo ramp space (with planned expansion of approximately 730,000 additional square feet), a General Aviation ramp serving 10,674 private aircraft annually through Signature Flight Support's Fixed Base Operator, and a U.S. Customs facility. Cargo operations are anchored by FedEx, pilot training is conducted by Great Planes Aviation and Rochester Community and Technical College (training approximately 170 future pilots per year), and Mayo Clinic runs a King Air air ambulance program completing 300+ missions in 2024.

RST's revenue model combines multiple streams: Passenger Facility Charges (proposed effective July 1, 2026 through April 1, 2043), cargo operator fees, in-terminal advertising, FBO professional services from Signature Flight Support, business park real estate and build-to-suit leases, parking ($9/day versus MSP's $19/day), dining concessions (Tailwind Concessions), and landing/ground transportation fees. The airport ended 2025 with over $1 million in net profits reinvested into capital improvements, generated an annual regional economic impact of $190 million (1,624 jobs, $63 million in payroll), and is funding a $70 million runway and GA ramp program with FAA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and MnDOT Aeronautics grants. Go-to-market combines sales-led air service development (attending 3-5 national conferences annually, offering up to $250,000 in marketing support and minimum revenue guarantees per new route) with the community-led Flocal campaign that has driven 6% passenger growth and won Telly Awards.

Name

Rochester International Airport

Legal name

Rochester International Airport

Website

https://flyrst.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rochester International Airport (RST) is a publicly-owned municipal airport in Rochester, Minnesota, operated by Mayo Clinic's subsidiary, providing commercial flights to Chicago and Minneapolis, general aviation, cargo, and air ambulance services for an 800,000-person catchment anchored by Mayo Clinic's 3 million annual patient visits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations and Commercial Aviation Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581), Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD), Airport Express & Intercity Shuttle Operators (TLAFAFAC), Emergency, Evacuation & Repatriation Charter Operators (THABADAH)

Keywords

• Commercial aviation services
• General aviation operations
• Air cargo handling
• Passenger terminal amenities
• Air ambulance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Passenger Facility Charges (PFC): Passenger Facility Charges collected from travelers using the airport, with proposed charge effective date July 1, 2026 and estimated expiration April 1, 2043.
2. Cargo Operations: FedEx operates as the cargo operator at RST with over 330,000 sq. ft. of usable cargo ramp space.
3. In-Terminal Advertising: Advertising opportunities reaching local travelers and visitors in the main terminal, with passengers spending an average of 90 minutes inside the terminal.
4. General Aviation Services: Fixed Base Operator services provided by Signature Flight Support including hangar space, support services, and facilities for private aircraft.
5. Business Park and Real Estate: Airport Business Park providing build-to-suit opportunities for developers and investors on the Rochester International Airport campus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Rochester International Airport operates a commercial service airport providing scheduled passenger flights to Chicago and Minneapolis, general aviation services including FBO, hangars, and pilot training, cargo operations with FedEx, and air ambulance services supporting Mayo Clinic. The airport is owned by the City of Rochester and operated by Rochester Airport Company, a Mayo Clinic subsidiary, serving approximately 200,000 passengers and 10,674 private planes annually from a catchment area of 815,000+ people.

Product overview

Rochester International Airport (RST) is a regional airport owned by the City of Rochester and operated by Rochester Airport Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mayo Clinic. The airport offers a portfolio of services including commercial air service (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines to Chicago and Minneapolis hubs), General Aviation operations (fixed-base operator, pilot training, air ambulance services, and flying club facilities), and cargo operations (FedEx). Passenger amenities include quiet rooms, mini-library, free WiFi, dining, and pet therapy programs. The airport also provides ground transportation coordination, parking services, accessibility services, and interpretation services. Recent infrastructure projects include General Aviation ramp expansion and runway reconstruction. The airport served approximately 200,000 passengers annually with an economic impact of $190 million.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Air Service (American Airlines & Delta Air Lines)
• United Airlines Chicago O'Hare Service
• General Aviation Services (Signature Flight Support FBO)
• Cargo Operations
• Mayo Clinic Air Ambulance Program
• Pilot Training Services (Great Planes Aviation & RCTC)
• T-Hangar Facilities
• Airport Business Park (Real Estate)
• In-Terminal Advertising
• Ground Transportation Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Saves up to 3 hours of car travel round-trip compared to MSP
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• North Star Honor FlightminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving 10 Minnesota counties and 5 Iowa counties. RST hosts Honor Flight missions transporting veterans to Washington D.C. for free.
• Hit AgencycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2024Rochester-based creative agency that developed the Flocal marketing campaign, generating 7.8+ million views and winning Telly Awards. Partnership increased RST social media performance by 54% and web traffic by 42%.
• FedExcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFedEx is the current cargo operator at Rochester International Airport with packages dropped off at their airport office on Air Commerce Drive. The airport has over 330,000 sq. ft. of usable cargo ramp space with future expansion planned.
• Signature Flight SupportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFixed Base Operator providing General Aviation aircraft and pilot services from RST's executive terminal. Employs 19 staff and supports 10,674 private planes annually. Services include hangar space (18,000-20,000 sq. ft.), fuel, GPUs, de-icing, and passenger amenities including conference rooms and pilot lounge.
• Great Planes AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlight school providing pilot training with approximately 170 future pilots trained per year and 2,500 training flights conducted annually. Offers business or pleasure travel, flight training, pilot services, charter, membership, and aircraft ownership options.
• Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation Pilot program established in partnership with Great Planes Aviation and RST. Ground school classes taught by RCTC instructors with flight lessons at RST provided by Great Planes Aviation.
• Southeastern Minnesota Flying Club (SEMFC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit flying club based at RST since 1958, the oldest flying club in the Upper Midwest and one of the oldest in the country. Has 61 members and flew 430 times in 2024 with two aircraft.
• Mead & HuntcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering and planning firm serving as project design coordinator for runway improvements and GA ramp expansion. Oversaw the CAT II ILS installation project spanning 12 years from concept to completion.
• Mathiowetz ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for CAT II ILS project and runway improvement phases.
• Neo Electrical SolutionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerElectrical subcontractor for CAT II ILS project.
• Tailwind ConcessionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood and beverage concessionaire providing dining options including coffee, grab-and-go sandwiches, cocktails, and locally brewed SXSE and Little Thistle beer. Also provides acoustic guitar for passenger use.
• Star Transportation (Rochester Shuttle Service)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperates shared rides from RST to hotels and other destinations in Rochester for approximately $20-25. Not a free Mayo Clinic shuttle.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Madison Dane County Regional Airport: Upper-Midwest regional airport with comparable enplanement scale, multiple scheduled carriers, an FBO, and significant general aviation activity. Competes for similar business and leisure travelers in a college/healthcare-anchored catchment analogous to Rochester.
• Bloomington-Normal Central Illinois Regional Airport: Small Midwest regional airport serving a healthcare and university-anchored catchment, with a similar mix of scheduled commercial, FBO, and flight-training operations. Comparable in scale, infrastructure footprint, and dependency on institutional anchors.
• Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa Airport: Mid-sized Iowa regional airport with parallel commercial, cargo, and GA infrastructure. Operates as a secondary scheduled-service market in the Midwest with similar fleet mix (regional jets) and infrastructure profile to RST.
• Mason City Municipal Airport: Small Iowa regional airport with limited scheduled service and a general aviation focus comparable to RST's secondary side. Useful for benchmarking capital efficiency at the lower end of the small-airport operating spectrum.
• Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport: Wisconsin regional airport of similar scale and catchment profile, offering scheduled commercial service alongside general aviation and cargo operations. Comparable in operating economics and route diversity.
• Sioux Falls Regional Airport: Upper-Midwest regional gateway serving a catchment in the 800,000–1M population range. Similar mix of scheduled commercial service, FedEx cargo operations, and general aviation — a useful scale and service-mix comparable for RST.
• Des Moines International Airport: Mid-sized Midwest regional airport with comparable passenger volumes in the low millions range, multiple airline tenants, and a parallel mix of commercial, cargo, and general aviation operations. Operates in a similar catchment-anchored, non-hub competitive context.
• Duluth International Airport: Another Minnesota public airport of broadly similar scale and mission, serving a smaller regional catchment with scheduled commercial and general aviation activity. Comparable in governance profile (publicly owned) and reliance on a single dominant regional economic driver.
• La Crosse Regional Airport: Small regional airport on the Minnesota/Wisconsin/Iowa border with catchment dynamics, route profile, and enplanement scale closely resembling RST. Useful peer for benchmarking small-airport unit economics and air-service development approaches.

Broad incumbents

• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MAC): The dominant Twin Cities hub against which RST competes for catchment leakage. MSP's ~$19/day Value lot pricing and 90-minute drive time from Rochester is the explicit benchmark in RST's True Cost Calculator. MAC operates multiple large terminals and serves as the primary diversion/connection alternative for RST routes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flyrst
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@RochesterAirport
• Facebookfacebook.com/RochesterAirport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rochester-airport-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/flyrst
• TikToktiktok.com/@flyrst

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rochester International Airport