St. Cloud’s regional airport is charting a new path with its rebrand as St. Cloud Sky Central Airport, a name highlighting its role as Central Minnesota’s hub for air travel.
St. Cloud has had an airport for 90 years, with the last 55 spent at its current location in Sherburne County. Established in 1970, it has continuously expanded its services and regional reach, evolving from a small municipal facility into a full-service regional airport capable of handling both commercial and private flights.
“Over those decades, it has enhanced and diversified the ways it serves people and businesses throughout Central Minnesota,” says Brian Myres, chair of the Airport Authority Board.
Airport director Bill Towle says the rebranding reflects both the airport’s central location and its role as a connector for communities across the country. “Our airport serves a wide swath of Central Minnesota, so we thought it would be fitting to have that in our name,” he says. “The area the airport serves is much greater than simply the City of St. Cloud. With our long runway and many navigational aids, we serve an area well beyond the seven-city St. Cloud metro area.”
The new name and logo also symbolize the airport’s modernization and growing reach.
“This is another step in the process of transitioning to a three-county airport authority,” Towle adds.
Sky Central averages more than 100 aircraft takeoffs and landings each day, supported by approximately 140 people in roles ranging from TSA security and firefighting to military and medical personnel. The airport is home to St. Cloud Aviation, Wright Aero, Midwest Air Traffic Control, the Minnesota Army National Guard, the St. Cloud Technical and Community College aircraft maintenance technician program, and other organizations.
The rebrand positions Sky Central as a driver of Central Minnesota’s economy. According to a State of Minnesota study, the airport supports 395 civilian jobs and 80 military positions, contributing roughly $50 million annually to the region.
Towle acknowledges that it will take time for people to adjust to the new name. “That’s simply part of any rebranding process, just as it will take a while before people remember that St. Paul’s former Xcel Energy Center is now Grand Casino Arena,” he says. “But soon, travelers will tell friends they’re flying out of Sky Central Airport and won’t give it a second thought.”
The St. Cloud Sky Central Airport name and logo were created for the St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority by Whitebox Marketing. A new airport tagline—Flying Kept Simple—will also be featured in future advertising. Despite the rebrand, the airport’s three-letter international code remains STC.
