Des Moines International Airport (IATA:DSM,ICAO:KDSM,FAALID:DSM) is a joint civilian-military commercial service airport 5 miles (8 km) southwest ofDes Moines, the capital ofIowa.
The airport's 2,600 acre campus includes two runways, 46 buildings, 7 parking facilities, and the terminal. Six commercial airlines offer service from DSM (American, Allegiant, Delta, Frontier, Southwest and United). The airport is managed by the Des Moines Airport Authority.
TheNational Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021called it a primary commercial service airport.[6] In 2016 a record 2.48 million passengers used the airport, up 5 percent from 2015.[7] In 2019, DSM served 2.92 million passengers, a record for the airport.
In the 1920s the Des Moines area had several small airports for general aviation andairmail. In 1929, theIowa General Assembly passed a law allowing cities to sellbonds and levy assessments to build municipal airports. Over 80 sites were considered for the Des Moines Airport until a decision was made to build on 160 acres (0.65 km²) of farmland south of the city. Construction of the airport began in 1932 and was completed in 1933. The airport's first passengerterminal was built shortly after the airport was completed. It was replaced by a new terminal in 1950 that has been expanded and renovated several times. The present concourses were built in 1970, along with the remodeling of the terminal.[8] The airport itself has expanded several times from its original 160-acre (0.65 km2) site and now covers 2,625 acres (10.6 km²).
The airport was originally governed by the City of Des Moines' Parks Department. A separate Aviation Department was established by the city during the 1960s, and in 1982, a separate Aviation Policy Advisory Board was established. The airport was renamed the Des Moines International Airport in 1986 to acknowledge the presence of aUnited States Customs Service office at the airport.
In 2011, the City of Des Moines transferred control from the city to the Des Moines Airport Authority. The city retains ownership of the land but transfers title to all property and equipment to thepublic authority. In turn, the authority agreed to a 99-year lease on the land.[9]
In 2016, a record 2.48 million passengers used the airport, up 5 percent from 2015.[7]Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 919,990 passenger boardings (enplanements) incalendar year 2008,[10] 853,596 in 2009[11] and 932,828 in 2011.[12]
In July 2021, the airport announced plans to become a base forAllegiant Air.[13]
Interior renovation work began in 2009 on the airport and concluded in 2010. The project, designed by Brooks Borg Skiles AE LLP,[14] included new carpets, paint, gate counters, seating, a new ceiling, signage, and a fire sprinkler system. Also included in the upgrade was a common-use project allowing any airline to use any gate at the airport. A new restroom was also added to the C concourse to allow for future concourse expansion. The airport modernized baggage handling capabilities with expanded processing facilities as well.
In addition to work inside the passenger terminal, the airport was building a rental car facility and new parking facilities.
Throughout 2022 and 2023, major construction at the airport involved the complete reconstruction of runway 05/23, and ongoing (as of September 2023) construction that led 31/13 to be closed as well.
As part of a multi-year expansion project known as "LiftDSM," the airport is undergoing a major reconfiguration of its terminal and airfield to meet passenger growth.[15]
The airport broke ground on a new, larger terminal in October 2023. The $445 million project is the centerpiece of the LiftDSM initiative and will replace the current 1948-era terminal. The new facility will initially feature 18 gates, increasing the airport's capacity by 50%, and is scheduled to open in 2026.[16][17]
In June 2024, the Des Moines Airport Authority awarded a $12.28 million contract for the construction of four new centralized de-icing pads.[18] The pads, which are scheduled for completion in October 2025, will allow aircraft to be de-iced at a dedicated location instead of at the passenger gates.[19] This change is intended to improve operational efficiency and reduce taxiing delays during winter weather. The project also includes the purchase of a snowmelting unit, and the new facility will be operated by Integrated Deicing Systems (IDS).[20][21]
The airport covers 2,625 acres (1,062ha) at an elevation of 958 feet (292 m). It has two runways: 5/23 is 9,004 by 150 feet (2,744 x 46 m); 13/31 is 9,001 by 150 feet (2,744 x 46 m).[1][22]
In the year ending December 31, 2021, the airport had 66,320 aircraft operations, average 182 per day: 44% airline, 9% air taxi, 44%general aviation and 4% military. 105 aircraft were then based at the airport: 63 single-engine, 16 multi-engine, 23 jet, and threehelicopter.[1]
Five B-labeled parking spots are used for light aircraft maintenance and temporary parking of airliners. This area is located to the south of the terminal.
Airmen of the Iowa Air National Guard's132nd Wing board aNew York Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III as part of contingency operation in the summer of 2021.
TheIowa Air National Guard has occupied an area located at the end of runway 13/31 since the 1960s and has been home to the132nd Wing.
These mission changes created some debate over the base's status as a military base, as the Des Moines Airport attempted to void the base's lease and charge "fair market value" for its use, consistent with FAA funding rules at the time. In addition, the removal of the fighters had resulted in the disbanding of the Guard's firefighting unit, forcing the airport to privatize firefighting operations which the base's unit had previously provided. The dispute was addressed in the short term by the reassignment ofBlack Hawk helicopters from Company C, 2nd Battalion,147th Aviation Regiment, of theIowa Army National Guard, fromBoone, Iowa, to the base, occupying the hangars that formerly held F-16s.[46] This issue was permanently resolved byPresident Obama's signature on H.R. 5944, which allowed airports continued access to FAA grant funding by classifying remotely piloted vehicle operations as aeronautical.[47]
With the addition of the Army National Guard unit to the base, a transition to a joint base status has begun. Eventually, Air National Guard operations will occupy the area to the west of the main gate, while Army operations will occupy the east.
On December 2, 1978,Douglas C-47A N41447 of SMB Stage Line crashed short of the runway while on a cargo flight fromChicago, Illinois. Both occupants survived.[57] Airframe icing was a factor in the accident.[58]
On November 3, 2000, aLuscombe 8A, privately owned and piloted by Lt. Col. Michael O'Grady, Operations Group commander for the132d Fighter Wing, crashed and was destroyed when during an approach to land on runway 31R, killing the pilot. TheNTSB report cited pilot error as the main case of the crash.[62]
On December 18, 2010, a small redBeechcraft Bonanza crashed while performing an emergency landing at DSM. The Airport Director stated that the small craft had engine problems and turned around for the airport. The aircraft eventually lost the engine and pilot was able to glide to the end of the runway. The aircraft clipped the end of the runway fence with its landing gear, making the nose of the craft dip into the snow. Police and emergency reported only minor injuries.[63]
On November 29, 2025,Delta Air Lines Flight 5087, operated by an Endeavor AirCRJ-900, skidded off of the runway during a landing. This was due to a winter storm that had passed earlier that day, which made the runway slick. No injuries were reported. As a result of the incident, the airport was closed for 14 hours. Three flights were diverted and many more were cancelled. The NTSB has not released a report on this incident as of writing.[64]
^"Enplanements for CY 2008"(PDF, 1.0 MB).faa.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. December 18, 2009.Archived(PDF) from the original on November 5, 2012. RetrievedOctober 28, 2011.
^"Enplanements for CY 2010"(PDF, 189 KB).faa.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2011.Archived(PDF) from the original on January 17, 2012. RetrievedOctober 28, 2011.
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5.8%
55.6%
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
