Des Moines - DSM Airport

[Renovator2559]

Des Moines airport breaks ground on $445 million terminal; initial work set to wrap in 2026

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story ... 921177007/

[Coyote]

New airport terminal could add $6 billion to Iowa's economy

DES MOINES, Iowa — Central Iowa leaders broke ground Wednesday on the new $455 million Des Moines International Airport terminal. "Today, we gather on this site to celebrate a momentous occasion. The groundbreaking of a future airport terminal," Des Moines Airport Authority chairman Jake Christensen said.

[Louie]

And Eppley is just futzing around with a canopy...

[nativeomahan]

Eppley is utilizing a 40 year old design, that was fine in the era of mullets and acid washed jeans. And the existing facility has served the traveling public well for those many years. But different times (particularly a totally different world of airport security) require a significantly different design, not to mention a larger airport.
I’m sure the people in Des Moines will be excited to see their new terminal become operational in the next few years.

[riceweb]

And Eppley is just futzing around with a canopy...

??

Except for the other giant changes including the new unified terminal that we're doing...?

[thenewguy]

$660M...

Not that it is a pissing match between Omaha and DSM, but that dollar amount is substantial.

[Renovator2559]

Eppley is utilizing a 40 year old design, that was fine in the era of mullets and acid washed jeans. And the existing facility has served the traveling public well for those many years. But different times (particularly a totally different world of airport security) require a significantly different design, not to mention a larger airport.
I’m sure the people in Des Moines will be excited to see their new terminal become operational in the next few years.

Still, I think the Eppley Airport looks like a solid structure that does not look flimsy and cheap, though hopefully the remodel will lead to a solid structure with a more modern uptodate aesthetics..

These days due to inflation, new terminals from the outside have a lot of glass but look like the roof is held by toothpicks/flimsy simple looking materials, a terminal that is generally a basic rectangle.

I honestly think one of the best new terminals and remodels is LGA airport. That airport looks modern and not cheap looking.

[Louie]

And Eppley is just futzing around with a canopy...

??

Except for the other giant changes including the new unified terminal that we're doing...?

They have yet to even announce a start date, let alone break ground. And OMA is some 50-60% busier than DSM. So in theory we should be able to move (and need to) forward on these types of projects faster than a smaller, less busy airport. Additionally, many of the changes in the LIFT program address the same out of date items that we are still waiting for at OMA (security, baggage claim, check-in).

Initial talks on the expansion started years and years ago. And DSM was able to fast track this, they completed their terminal study in April of 2022, and have slated the construction timelines already for all of their construction. I just wish Omaha could move faster on projects like this that can help expand the reach of the city.

[Renovator2559]

FYI, Don Smithey from Eppley Airport. created the Des Moines Airport Authority.Its nice to see how an Omahan extended his expertise of 20 years in Omaha, to help our neighbors in Des Moines in making both airports better!

"Don Smithey, the former director at Omaha’s Eppley
Airfield, came out of retirement to take the job in
Des Moines four years ago. Most Viewed Most Commented
“I’ve accomplished the goals that I set forth and 2014 Top 25 Most Influential Business Leaders
said I would do,” Smithey said. announced
Smithey, 73, is largely credited with helping the 2014 Book of Lists
airport land service from Southwest Airlines. Participants announced for Community Connect
Under his watch, airfares have gotten more mentor program
competitive, and the airport has set record
passenger numbers the last two years. He also oversaw a change in the airport’s governing ARAG exec sues to get her photo off sexy
structure from an airport board under Des Moines City Council jurisdiction, to a five-person airport executives website
authority. Forty Under 40 - Nominations now open
His final order will be helping present information on a strategic plan prepared by consultant
LeighFisher Inc. Smithey has said that the airport’s current strategic plan, developed in 2007, is
out of date. The new plan could lay out strategies for building a new terminal.
When Smithey retired from Omaha in 2009 and moved to West Des Moines, officials convinced
him to come out of retirement to help the Des Moines airport, which was struggling with high
airfares and declining passenger numbers."

[riceweb]

They have yet to even announce a start date, let alone break ground. And OMA is some 50-60% busier than DSM. So in theory we should be able to move (and need to) forward on these types of projects faster than a smaller, less busy airport. Additionally, many of the changes in the LIFT program address the same out of date items that we are still waiting for at OMA (security, baggage claim, check-in).

Initial talks on the expansion started years and years ago. And DSM was able to fast track this, they completed their terminal study in April of 2022, and have slated the construction timelines already for all of their construction. I just wish Omaha could move faster on projects like this that can help expand the reach of the city.

This seems like a nitpick. The DSM project might be simpler for whatever reason. You were making it sound like it was somehow hopeless and that Omaha would never get the new terminal but Des Moines is.

In a couple of years we'll have a new, fancy pants terminal that can grow with the city.

[Louie]

This seems like a nitpick.

I disagree. This project has been in the works for almost a decade and may not even start until the DSM terminal is finished. It should not have taken this long. I understand the hurdles, but DSM had similar hurdles.

[NEDodger]

This seems like a nitpick.

I disagree. This project has been in the works for almost a decade and may not even start until the DSM terminal is finished. It should not have taken this long. I understand the hurdles, but DSM had similar hurdles.

I thought the terminal redo starts in December?

[thenewguy]

This seems like a nitpick.

I disagree. This project has been in the works for almost a decade and may not even start until the DSM terminal is finished. It should not have taken this long. I understand the hurdles, but DSM had similar hurdles.

I thought the terminal redo starts in December?

that's what i thought, too. I'm pretty sure there's stuff going on behind the scenes that we aren't publicly aware of...

[TransitOriented]

I've never flown out of DSM. What's it like?

[thenewguy]

idk, but I think the only reason it's called 'international' is because it has a customs office there. A quick check of their flight destinations show only domestic airports.

[Bob from Omaha]

Eppley basically rebuilt the terminal in the mid to late 1980s. DSM has been pretty much the same since 1970ish and look it. It's a space issue. You really can't compare the two. Well, I guess you can. I'm not sure I see the problem with DSM finishing their terminal before OMA. Before too long both will be done. KCI just opened theirs. Is a year or so that big a deal?

[CBJason]

Eppley basically rebuilt the terminal in the mid to late 1980s. DSM has been pretty much the same since 1970ish and look it. It's a space issue. You really can't compare the two. Well, I guess you can. I'm not sure I see the problem with DSM finishing their terminal before OMA. Before too long both will be done. KCI just opened theirs. Is a year or so that big a deal?

I don’t think a year is a big deal. If I recall correctly, I thought they were saying on the DSM site that their terminal hadn’t updated much since post war, IDK, I’d have to go back through that thread. Regardless, they have major issues with space and the actual infrastructure and this all needed to be done yesterday. Eppley isn’t in as a dire situation.

[TransitOriented]

I'm not sure I see the problem with DSM finishing their terminal before OMA. Before too long both will be done. KCI just opened theirs. Is a year or so that big a deal?

MCI is a completely new airport and parking garage. The DSM and OMA plans are just rehabs/extensions of existing buildings.

[CBJason]

MCI is a completely new airport and parking garage. The DSM and OMA plans are just rehabs/extensions of existing buildings.

Uh…you mean new terminal…

[TransitOriented]

MCI is a completely new airport and parking garage. The DSM and OMA plans are just rehabs/extensions of existing buildings.

Uh…you mean new terminal…

New everything. No rehab at all

[CBJason]

MCI is a completely new airport and parking garage. The DSM and OMA plans are just rehabs/extensions of existing buildings.

Uh…you mean new terminal…

New everything. No rehab at all

So everything including runways were moved to a new or different location…meaning a new airport? A new airport hasn’t been built in the US since DEN.

[TransitOriented]

Akshully, it looks like DSM is getting a new airport. The renderings were a bit confusing to me. New building will be built, old one torn down, new building will then get expanded over to the land where the old airport stood.

But I still think OMA is different in that we are getting a few new bits (the middle part) and a lot of overhaul.

[CBJason]

You still don’t get it…

[Padre]

Unless they are getting completely new runways, they aren’t getting a new airport. Terminals yes, but not airport.

[nativeomahan]

[Mr.Nuke]

For Bob,

Allegiant Load Factors For July at DSM

LAS 96%
SNA 96%
AUS 95%
EWR 95%
SAN 95%
LAX 95%
SFB 94%
PIE 94%
AZA 93%
HOU 93%
FLL 92%
PDX 92%
PGD 88%
SRQ 87%
VPS 78%
BNA 72%

[ewilliams27]

Update on the new terminal, and parking garage expansion.

[skinzfan23]

So glad that both Des Moines and Omaha are getting huge and much needed upgrades

[Bob from Omaha]

For Bob,

Allegiant Load Factors For July at DSM

LAS 96%
SNA 96%
AUS 95%
EWR 95%
SAN 95%
LAX 95%
SFB 94%
PIE 94%
AZA 93%
HOU 93%
FLL 92%
PDX 92%
PGD 88%
SRQ 87%
VPS 78%
BNA 72%

Those are load factors. I was looking for PDEW

[Mr.Nuke]

For Bob,

Allegiant Load Factors For July at DSM

LAS 96%
SNA 96%
AUS 95%
EWR 95%
SAN 95%
LAX 95%
SFB 94%
PIE 94%
AZA 93%
HOU 93%
FLL 92%
PDX 92%
PGD 88%
SRQ 87%
VPS 78%
BNA 72%

Those are load factors. I was looking for PDEW

You realize you are quoting a post from over a year ago right? I don't remember what you were asking for, but I'm assuming it was something to the effect of how are Allegiant's routes out of DSM doing in the Eppley thread and then I posted this for you here though.

[Bob from Omaha]

Yeah. I just looked. In the end it's not important. Excelsior!

[ewilliams27]

Also here is a video of what the new terminal will look like.

[ewilliams27]

[ewilliams27]

May Update:

[nebugeater]

From the files of "you can't park there"

A Delta flight at Des Moines International Airport slid off the end of the runway Saturday night. Closing the airport until mid-morning Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025.





https://www.kcrg.com/2025/11/30/des-moi ... ff-runway/


https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story ... 534588007/

[nativeomahan]

I saw this story today reporting on upcoming changes at the Des Moines International Airport.
https://apple.news/AKeS2JyVuR0e7jPjTNu0yIA

[ProgKingHughesker]

Paywalled

[Brad]

Paywalled

There is a reason we ask people to post more than a link.

Here is what Google AI is saysing:

Allegiant Air is expanding its 2026 schedule at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) by introducing new, direct, low-cost flights. Based on announcements, the key new routes for the first half of 2026 include Philadelphia, PA (PHL), Knoxville, TN (TYS), Grand Rapids, MI (GRR), Phoenix/Mesa, AZ (AZA), and Orlando/Sanford, FL (SFB).

Philadelphia (PHL): Begins May 21, 2026.
Knoxville (TYS): Begins May 21, 2026.
Grand Rapids (GRR): Begins May 22, 2026.
Phoenix/Mesa (AZA): Starts Feb 6, 2026.
Orlando/Sanford (SFB): Starts May 21, 2026.

[iamjacobm]

Paywalled

There is a reason we ask people to post more than a link.

Here is what Google AI is saysing:

Allegiant Air is expanding its 2026 schedule at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) by introducing new, direct, low-cost flights. Based on announcements, the key new routes for the first half of 2026 include Philadelphia, PA (PHL), Knoxville, TN (TYS), Grand Rapids, MI (GRR), Phoenix/Mesa, AZ (AZA), and Orlando/Sanford, FL (SFB).

Philadelphia (PHL): Begins May 21, 2026.
Knoxville (TYS): Begins May 21, 2026.
Grand Rapids (GRR): Begins May 22, 2026.
Phoenix/Mesa (AZA): Starts Feb 6, 2026.
Orlando/Sanford (SFB): Starts May 21, 2026.

Looks like AI wasn't very good there. Below are the new routes. Was scratching my head how Knoxville and Grand Rapids made sense. The below are much more reasonable. Hollywood/Burbank is a cool get for them. The Allegiant base in DSM seems to be working out for them.

Des Moines to Fort Myers (Allegiant)
Des Moines to Chicago (Southwest)
Des Moines to Phoenix (Frontier)
Des Moines to Philadelphia (Allegiant)
Des Moines to Hollywood (Allegiant)