Demand for air travel is returning, but it might take a while for the number of flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to catch up.

What's happening: Though passenger traffic is rebounding post-pandemic, the number of average daily departing flights out of MSP is still down 20% —  406 as of late September, compared to 509 in October 2019.

Why it matters: Fewer available flights can mean less convenient and more expensive trips for MSP travelers.

State of play: There are a variety of factors fueling the decline, which has been seen nationwide, travel experts told Axios.

• Major airlines are facing a pilot shortage and rising labor costs, limiting resources and making each flight more expensive to operate.
• Some airlines have upgraded to larger aircraft, so fewer flights are needed to accommodate passenger demand.
• Business travel is still down as companies rely on remote work.

Plus: MSP is a Delta hub, which can deter other airlines from trying to compete, national travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt told Axios.

The intrigue: The decline in available itineraries has particularly affected smaller communities, Thrifty Traveler executive editor Kyle Potter told Axios.

• "It's more fuel-efficient to fly a 150-seat plane to a large destination versus an 80-seat plane to Sioux Falls."

The other side: Though the number of departures is down, the number of direct destinations is nearly back to normal. MSP will have 157 direct flights by December compared to 167 pre-pandemic, airport spokesperson Jeff Lea confirmed.

• That includes several high-profile routes that have joined or returned to the airport in the last few months, such as Turks & Caicos, Dublin, and an additional route to Frankfurt via new MSP carrier Lufthansa.

What we're watching: Continued growth from regional airlines including Sun Country, which added 15 new nonstop routes this summer, could play a role in bringing traffic back — in part by putting competitive pressure on larger airlines to add routes.

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📅Upcoming events around the city.

Vintage Fall Crawl at Various Locations around Minneapolis now through Oct. 31:

• This October, visit women-owned vintage shops, get a discount, and raise funds for a good cause during the second annual Vintage Fall Crawl.
• This crawl features fourteen women-owned vintage stores.
• You can find all of the shops in three distinct neighborhoods of the Twin Cities: South Minneapolis, Northeast Minneapolis, and Saint Paul. These shops offer an array of vintage goods, including clothing, home decor, furniture, and more.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

The Twins lost 9-1 to the Astros yesterday, raising the stakes for today’s game at Target Field.

State of play: Houston is up 2-1 in the best-of-five series.

What's next: The Twins must-win Game 4 starts at 6:07pm.

🗳️ State Sen. Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven) is exploring a bid for the 3rd Congressional District if U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips doesn't run next year, a source close to the senator tells Axios.

• As we reported yesterday, an open primary for the suburban west metro seat could attract a crowded field of DFLers.

👀 Phillips, meanwhile said yesterday that he expects a decision on a presidential run in the "next few weeks," citing upcoming filing deadlines to get on the ballot. (MPR News)

🏈 Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is expected to miss at least the next four games because of a hamstring injury. (Associated Press)

• The AP reports the team "could hardly have had a worse setback" after starting the season 1-4.

A statement from the Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America that expressed "solidarity with Palestine" without acknowledging Israelis slain or taken hostage in Hamas' attack is drawing sharp rebuke from political leaders, including DFL Chair Ken Martin and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. (Star Tribune)

• None of the five DSA-endorsed candidates running for city council in Minneapolis responded to the paper's request for comment as of yesterday.

🌮 St. Paul Mexican restaurant Mi México Querido just opened a new location in Minneapolis, according to social media. The new spot on Minnehaha Avenue is inside the former Dumpling.

🍔 White Castle's longstanding Lake Street location quietly shut down last weekend after more than 45 years, leaving Northeast Minneapolis with the last one within city limits, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

🍽️ Sooki and Mimi in Uptown will officially close on Oct. 21, according to a release. Owner Ann Kim's new restaurant, Kim's, will take over a few weeks later along with Bronto Bar, which will replace the existing Basement Bar.

👨‍🍳 Hyacinth in St. Paul is getting a new chef/owner. James Beard semifinalist Rikki Giambruno will soon pass the torch to Abraham Gessesse, who was the restaurant's first line cook hire, according to the Star Tribune.

🌮 Homshuk Mexican Kitchen and Bar is now open in Apple Valley. The restaurant, which also has a bar with more than 70 tequilas, debuted alongside Bodega 42, a Mexican market by the same owners.

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