We don't have any direct flights from Minneapolis to Aruba but we have alot of options with one connection that gets us to Aruba between 2pm-3pm the same day. We can use United (through Chicago), USAir (through Charlotte), or Delta (through Atlanta.) Now with AirTran, we will have a 4th option.
You need to have good, healthy competition to keep the fares down. I know we pay less to fly from Minneapolis to Aruba than people in the Atlanta area because they have only had one airline to use for Aruba with no other options.