When you fly to the Twin Cities, you'll most likely fly into a facility operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The agency operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), along with six smaller, reliever airports in the Twin Cities area. The smaller airports handle general aviation traffic and support military aircraft operations, thus reducing potential congestion at MSP. The Metropolitan Airports Commission is considering other non-aeronautical uses for areas of the reliever airports such as business or commercial land development. The agency was created in 1943 by the Minnesota Legislature.

Quoin, International Inc. is an engineering, technology development, manufacturing and service company that that specializes in power, control, actuation, and pyrotechnics technology development. Our work encompasses both technical product design and development and the transfer of federal technologies to commercial applications. Quoin holds several patents on its developments and works effectively, often through joint teaming arrangements, to apply its products and services to ever-expanding commercial and military applications. Current projects are centered around propulsion and guidance systems as well as incendiary materials and devices.

Rather than soaring through the skies, Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG) takes care of planes when they're on the ground. The company provides fueling, ground handling, cargo handling, and related services to the commercial aviation industry. (Ground handling includes services such as baggage loading and unloading, cabin cleaning, and passenger check-in.) ASIG operates at more than 65 airports worldwide, primarily in the US and the UK but also elsewhere in Europe and in the Asia/Pacific region. Sister company Signature Flight Support serves the general aviation community as a leading fixed-base operator (FBO). ASIG was founded in 1947 and acquired by BBA Aviation in 2001.

BlackHawk Products Group sells a broad range of tactical gear for those in the military and law enforcement. Products include apparel and tactical armor, holsters, knives, weapon accessories, harnesses, and rappelling equipment. Items are sold by catalog or online. After acquiring US-based Knoxx Industries in 2007, BlackHawk added recoil-suppression stocks for rifles and shotguns to its list of more than 3,000 products. BlackHawk was founded in 1993 by CEO Mike Noell, a former Navy SEAL. Since then, the company has expanded through acquisitions and now operates through offices in the US and Germany.

GIAT Industries is a state-owned tank and weapons systems manufacturer that dates back to the reign of Louis XIV. Modern offerings from the company (which sells to armed forces in France and about 100 other countries) include the Leclerc main battle tank, wheeled armored infantry fighting vehicles (VBCI), mine-clearing vehicles, Caesar artillery systems, helicopter cannons, tank and medium-caliber ammunition, and tank and armored vehicle battle management systems. Post-sale, GIAT provides engineering support, training, technical documentation, test equipment, maintenance, and modernization services. The company does business as Nexter Group.

Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited - better known as HAECO - has provided comprehensive aeronautical engineering and maintenance services to airlines and operators since 1950.When HAECO signed a 20-year Franchise Agreement with Hong Kong's Airport Authority, it was yet another milestone and became the only full service provider at the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok offering comprehensive line to heavy maintenance packages including aircraft component overhaul support and AOG/aircraft recovery service.A quality-focused, customer-responsive approach is the cornerstone of HAECO's philosophy and its scale of operation complemented by highly trained, skilled staff allows it to offer tailor-made, value-for-money packages to its customers worldwide.HAECO has, over the years, expanded beyond the boundaries of Hong Kong SAR into other cities in China with Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. (TAECO) at Xiamen, Fujian, and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. (STAECO) at Jinan, Shandong. Recently, a joint venture "Taikoo SIchuan Aircraft Engineering Services Co. Ltd." has been formed in Sichuan. It also operates maintenance facilities in Singapore - Singapore (HAECO) Pte. Ltd. (SHAECO), and Bahrain. In addition, HAECO has established joint ventures with key major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in pursuit of providing “Total Care” services to its customers.Swire holds major interests in HAECO and provides management support.

The airline AS Estonian Air serves destinations throughout Western and Eastern Europe. Including the planes flown by subsidiary Estonian Air Regional, the carrier operates a fleet of some 10 Boeing and Saab aircraft. The company offers scheduled passenger services to about 20 European destinations and charter passenger transportation to more than 50. It also offers cargo transport and handling services for third-party airlines. The Estonian government owns a third of the carrier. Scandinavian airline SAS owns about half of Estonian Air but announced plans in early 2009 that it plans to divest its 49% stake.

General Electric is the world's largest maker of jet engines, so if you've ever been to an airport, you've doubtless heard the whine of GE jet engines. Keeping all those engines functioning is the task of GE Engine Services. The company provides engine maintenance, repair, overhaul services, and technology upgrades, as well as engine exchange. It supplies customers with new and used engine parts; leases engines and provides financing for engine customers; and inspects, analyzes, and diagnoses engines. Not only does it work on its own engines, but it also works on its competitors' engines, including those made by Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney.

General Dynamics Land Systems was formed in 1982 when General Dynamics acquired Chrysler Corporation's defense operations. In March 2003, the assets of GM Defense were purchased by General Dynamics Corporation and combined with Land Systems. Since World War II, Land Systems and its predecessor companies Chrysler Defense and GM Defense have produced more than 63,000 tanks and combat vehicles. Today, Land Systems has approximately 7,500 employees worldwide in Australia, Canada, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Engineering, research, and technological innovation continue to position Land Systems as a leader in the force modernization programs of the U.S.A. and international customers.

Air Canada is Canada’s largest full-service airline and the largest provider of scheduled passenger services in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. transborder market and in the international market to and from Canada. In 2008, Air Canada together with its regional partner Jazz carried approximately 33 million passengers, providing direct passenger service to more than 170 destinations on five continents. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance™, providing the world's most comprehensive air transportation network.Air Canada's predecessor, Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) inaugurated its first flight on September 1, 1937. The 50-minute flight aboard a Lockheed L-10A carried two passengers and mail between Vancouver and Seattle. By 1964, TCA had grown to become Canada's national airline; it changed its name to Air Canada. The airline became fully privatized in 1989. In 2000, Air Canada acquired Canadian Airlines International. Today, Air Canada is the 13th largest commercial airline in the world, with approximately 24,700 full-time equivalent employees. Air Canada actively supports charitable organizations through its Community Investments program, Kids' Horizons. (www.aircanada.com/kids) Air Canada shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol “AC-B.TO”.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.