Des Moines International Airport

Des Moines International Airport
Aerial view of the airport in 2012
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCity of Des Moines
OperatorDes Moines Airport Authority
ServesDes Moines metropolitan area
LocationDes Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Operating base forAllegiant Air
Elevation AMSL958 ft / 292 m
Coordinates41°32′02″N 093°39′47″W / 41.53389°N 93.66306°W / 41.53389; -93.66306
Websitewww.flydsm.com
Maps
FAA airport diagram
FAA airport diagram
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
05/23 6,601 2,012 Asphalt/concrete
13/31 9,001 2,744 Asphalt
Statistics
Total passengers (2023)3,097,006
Cargo (pounds) (2022)71,264,847
Airport operations (2021)66,320
Based aircraft (2021)105
Source: Federal Aviation Administration,[1] Des Moines International Airport,[2][3] Business Record[4]

Des Moines International Airport (IATA: DSM, ICAO: KDSM, FAA LID: DSM) is a joint civilian-military commercial service airport 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Des Moines, the capital of Iowa.

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.

The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021 called it a primary commercial service airport.[5] In 2016 a record 2.48 million passengers used the airport, up 5 percent from 2015.[6] In 2019, DSM served 2.92 million passengers, a record for the airport.

The airport hosts the 132nd Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard.

History

In the 1920s the Des Moines area had several small airports for general aviation and airmail. In 1929, the Iowa General Assembly passed a law allowing cities to sell bonds 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 passenger terminal 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.[7] 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 a United 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 the public authority. In turn, the authority agreed to a 99-year lease on the land.[8]

In 2016, a record 2.48 million passengers used the airport, up 5 percent from 2015.[6] Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 919,990 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2008,[9] 853,596 in 2009[10] and 932,828 in 2011.[11]

In July 2021, the airport announced plans to become a base for Allegiant Air.[12]

Expansion

Interior renovation work began in 2009 on the airport and concluded in 2010. The project, designed by Brooks Borg Skiles AE LLP,[13] 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.

Terminal replacement

In April 2022, the Des Moines International Airport released their terminal study, calling for a new terminal building to be built, replacing the current one. Older plans capped the airport capacity to 17 gates, 5 more than their current terminal design. The new plan allows for a minimum of 18 gates with a further expansion option of up to 22 gates and 5 additional commercial aircraft parking spaces with the project being built in phases to mitigate costs. The plan also includes US Customs and Border Protection for the airport to allow processing of international passengers.

In May, the airport asked the surrounding towns and counties to contribute more than $2 million to the airport expansion plans.[14] Work on the new terminal project is set to begin in 2024 with an estimated price tag of $769 million.[15]

Facilities

Entrance
The airport's lobby area in 2008

The airport covers 2,625 acres (1,062 ha) at an elevation of 958 feet (292 m). It has two runways: 5/23 is 6,601 by 150 feet (2,012 x 46 m); 13/31 is 9,001 by 150 feet (2,744 x 46 m).[1][16]

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 three helicopter.[1]

The terminal has two concourses; concourse A with gates A1–A5 (used by Allegiant Air, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and United Express) and concourse C, with gates C1–C7 (used by American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Allegiant Airlines and Frontier Airlines).[citation needed]

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.

The airport is home to a maintenance base for Endeavor Air.[17]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Allegiant Air Austin, Boston (begins May 23, 2025),[18] Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville (begins May 23, 2025),[19] Las Vegas, Orange County, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, Punta Gorda (FL), St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Seasonal: Destin/Fort Walton Beach,[citation needed] Houston–Hobby, Los Angeles, Nashville, Newark,[citation needed], Portland (OR), San Diego, Sarasota 		[20]
American Airlines Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix–Sky Harbor
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare[citation needed] 		[21]
American Eagle Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia (resumes June 5, 2025),[22] Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Washington–National
Seasonal: Miami[citation needed] 		[21]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta [23]
Delta Connection Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–LaGuardia [23]
Frontier Airlines Denver
Seasonal: Orlando[citation needed] 		[24][25]
Southwest Airlines Denver, Las Vegas, St. Louis
Seasonal: Phoenix–Sky Harbor[26][better source needed] 		[27]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare, Denver
Seasonal: Houston–Intercontinental[citation needed] 		[28]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental [28]
Destinations map
class=notpageimage|
Destinations from Des Moines International Airport
Red = Year-round destination
Green = Seasonal destination
Blue = Future destination

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
FedEx Express Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Memphis
UPS Airlines Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Louisville

Air National Guard

Airmen of the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Wing board a New York Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III as part of contingency operation in the summer of 2021.

The Iowa Air National Guard has occupied an area located at the end of runway 13/31 since the 1960s and has been home to the 132nd Wing.

With the increased need of remotely piloted aircraft, Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and cyber warfare in the 21st century the U.S. Air Force transitioned the 132nd from a F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter unit to an ISR and cyber warfare unit starting in 2013. This ended the 132nd's nearly 70-year history as a fighter wing, having previously flown P-51 Mustangs, then F-84 Thunderstreaks, F-100 Super Sabres, and A-7 Corsair IIs, finally transitioning to the F-16 Falcon in the 1980s.[29] Initially it had been considered to transition the wing to the A-10 Thunderbolt II in 2014. However, it was felt by Iowa legislators that the ISR mission would offer more training and skills to the airmen of the 132nd which would be applicable in the 21st century and help boost Iowa's economy.[30][31] The 132nd's predecessor units participated in air combat during World War II, Desert Storm, and the Iraq War.

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 of Black Hawk helicopters from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, of the Iowa Army National Guard, from Boone, Iowa, to the base, occupying the hangars that formerly held F-16s.[32] This issue was permanently resolved by President Obama's signature on H.R. 5944, which allowed airports continued access to FAA grant funding by classifying remotely piloted vehicle operations as aeronautical.[33]

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.

Statistics

Busiest domestic destinations from DSM
(September 2023 – August 2024)[34]
Rank Airport Passengers Carriers
1 Colorado Denver, Colorado 266,420 Frontier, Southwest, United
2 Illinois Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 183,870 American, United
3 Texas Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 139,150 American
4 Georgia (U.S. state) Atlanta, Georgia 104,200 Delta
5 North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina 90,460 American
6 Arizona Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Arizona 83,250 American
7 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada 77,190 Allegiant, Southwest
8 Missouri St. Louis, Missouri 70,280 Southwest
9 Minnesota Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota 64,530 Delta
10 Michigan Detroit, Michigan 60,240 Delta
Largest airlines at DSM (September 2023 – August 2024)[34]
Rank Airline Passengers Share
1 American Airlines 625,000 20.20%
2 Allegiant Air 522,000 16.89%
3 United Airlines 483,000 15.64%
4 Southwest Airlines 415,000 13.43%
5 Endeavor Air 311,000 10.05%
Other 736,000 23.80%

Annual traffic

Annual passenger traffic at DSM airport. See Wikidata query.
Year Passenger statistics Percent change
2013 2,201,388 Increase 5.8%
2014 2,319,431[35] Increase 5.4%
2015 2,365,643[36] Increase 2.0%
2016 2,483,924[6] Increase 5.0%
2017 2,578,308[37] Increase 3.8%
2018 2,773,207[38] Increase 7.6%
2019 2,919,904[39] Increase 5.3%
2020 1,295,685[6] Decrease 55.6%
2021 2,167,510[6] Increase 67.3%
2022 2,808,125[6] Increase 29.6%
2023 3,097,006[40] Increase 10.3%

Accidents and incidents

On December 2, 1978, Douglas C-47A N41447 of SMB Stage Line crashed short of the runway while on a cargo flight from Chicago, Illinois. Both occupants survived.[41] Airframe icing was a factor in the accident.[42]

On November 25, 1985, a Rockwell Aero Commander crashed on approach due to icing and possibly wake turbulence, killing the pilot and six members of the Iowa State University women's cross country team.[43][44][45]

On November 3, 2000, a Luscombe 8A, privately owned and piloted by Lt. Col. Michael O'Grady, Operations Group commander for the 132d Fighter Wing, crashed and was destroyed when during an approach to land on runway 31R, killing the pilot. The NTSB report cited pilot error as the main case of the crash. [46]

On December 18, 2010, a small red Beechcraft 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.[47]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c FAA Airport Form 5010 for DSM PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective November 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "Des Moines International Airport" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  3. ^ "Traffic Statistics" (PDF). Des Moines Airport Authority. December 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 12, 2023.
  4. ^ "Des Moines airport achieves milestone, serving 3 million passengers in 2023". Business Record. January 11, 2024.
  5. ^ "2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A" (PDF). faa.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF, 2.03 MB) on September 27, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  7. ^ Lamberto, Nick (August 25, 1970). "'Cattle Chutes' to Be Used Longer-Airport Work Lag". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  8. ^ Pulliam, Jason. "Airport Authority Approved by City Council". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  9. ^ "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. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  10. ^ "Enplanements for CY 2010" (PDF, 189 KB). faa.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  11. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 3, 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ^ "Allegiant Announces Aircraft Base in Des Moines, Bringing New Jobs and Growth Opportunities | Allegiant Travel Company". ir.allegiantair.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  13. ^ "Des Moines International Airport – Terminal | BBS Architects Engineers". www.bbsae.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  14. ^ Gehr, Danielle. "Story County asked to pitch in $1 million toward $411 million Des Moines airport expansion". The Ames Tribune. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  15. ^ "HNTB Designing $770M Des Moines International Airport Terminal | Engineering News-Record". www.enr.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  16. ^ "DSM airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  17. ^ "Facts & Routes". Endeavor Air. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "Allegiant Ties Record for Largest Expansion in Company History with 44 New Nonstop Routes, plus 3 New Cities". Allegiant Air. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  19. ^ "Allegiant offering nonstop flights from JAX to Akron-Canton, De Moines, Grand Rapids". November 2024.
  20. ^ "Allegiant Air". Archived from the original on February 24, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Flight schedules and notifications". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  22. ^ "American Airlines Resumes 2 Philadelphia Domestic Routes in June 2025". Aeroroutes. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  24. ^ "Frontier". Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  25. ^ "Flight Finder ✈ Orlando Intl (KMCO) – Des Moines Intl (KDSM)". FlightAware. Archived from the original on July 16, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "Check Flight Schedules". March 21, 2024.
  27. ^ "Check Flight Schedules". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  28. ^ a b "Timetable". Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  29. ^ Magel, Todd (May 1, 2019). "KCCI takes exclusive tour with Iowa Air National Guard". KCCI. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  30. ^ "132d Wing". www.132dwing.ang.af.mil. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  31. ^ "Iowa Air National Guard / RPA, Intel, Cyber and Wing Administration Facility". Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  32. ^ Aschbrenner, William Petroski, and Joel. "Guard: Move helicopters to Des Moines". Des Moines Register.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ "Upton, Peters bills signed by President". Archived from the original on October 28, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  34. ^ a b "Des Moines, IA: Des Moines International (DSM)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. September 2023. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  35. ^ Aschbrenner, Joel (January 13, 2014). "Des Moines Sets All Time Flier Record. Delta Now Top Airline". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  36. ^ "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  37. ^ "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  38. ^ "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  39. ^ "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  40. ^ Kutz, Anna (January 11, 2024). "Des Moines International Airport served record-breaking 3 million passengers in 2023". We Are Iowa. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  41. ^ "N41447 Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  42. ^ "NTSB Identification: MKC79FA007". National Transportation Safety Board. Archived from the original on January 17, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  43. ^ Glover, Mike. "Authorities Probe Plane Crash that Killed Cross-Country Team Members, Coach". Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  44. ^ "Ice Accumulation Likely Cause Of 1985 Crash". Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  45. ^ "ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 39384". Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  46. ^ "NTSB Report, Accident #CHI01FA026". Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  47. ^ "Plane Crashes at Des Moines Airport". Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2011.

Sources

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