Des Moines International Airport

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.^[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 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.^[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) in calendar 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 for Allegiant 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.

The airport covers 2,625 acres (1,062 ha) 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][17]

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.^[18]

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.^[30] 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.^[31][32] 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.^[33] 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.^[34]

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 from Chicago, Illinois. Both occupants survived.^[43] Airframe icing was a factor in the accident.^[44]

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.^[45][46][47]

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. ^[48]

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.^[49]

• List of airports in Iowa
• Des Moines Area Regional Transit