Des Moines International Airport

Des Moines International Airport (IATA: DSM, ICAO: KDSM, FAA LID: DSM) is a civil-military airport 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. It has 25 connections to major airline hubs and leisure destinations.

Des Moines International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCity of Des Moines
OperatorDes Moines Airport Authority
ServesDes Moines, Iowa, United States
Focus city for
Elevation AMSL958 ft / 292 m
Coordinates41°32′02″N 093°39′47″W
Websitewww.DSMairport.com
Maps

FAA diagram
DSM
DSM
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
5/23 9,003 2,744 Asphalt/Concrete
13/31 9,002 2,744 Asphalt
Statistics
Total Passengers (2019)2,919,904
Cargo (pounds) (2019)74,972,162
Airport Operations (Through 3/31/2019)71,384
Based Aircraft (2019)111
Source: Federal Aviation Administration[2] Des Moines International Airport[3][4]

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 (132 WG) 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 2020, the airport will become home to 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] includes new carpets, paint, gate counters, seating, a new ceiling, signage, and a fire sprinkler system. Also included in the upgrade is a common-use project allowing any airline to use any gate at the airport. A new restroom is also being added to the C concourse to allow for future concourse expansion. The airport is modernizing baggage handling capabilities with expanded processing facilities as well.

In addition to work inside the passenger terminal, the airport is building a rental car facility and new parking facilities. It is also planning a new 5,000-foot runway (to be extended to 9,000 feet (2,700 m) in a later phase), and a new General Aviation (GA) apron. The new GA apron is partially in response to the failure of a reliever proposal in Adel, Iowa and restricted space in the current GA area.

Facilities

The airport covers 2,625 acres (1,062 ha) at an elevation of 958 feet (292 m). It has two runways: 5/23 is 9,003 by 150 feet (2,744 x 46 m); 13/31 is 9,002 by 150 feet (2,744 x 46 m).[2]

In the year ending March 31, 2019, the airport had 71,384 aircraft operations, average 195 per day: 44% airline, 13% air taxi, 41% general aviation and 2% military. 111 aircraft were then based at the airport: 69 single-engine, 12 multi-engine, 27 jet, two helicopter and one military.[2]

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, and Frontier Airlines).

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

Airlines and destinations

Passenger
Delta Air Lines A320 at gate C1

As of December 2019, American Airlines handled 32% of DSM passengers, followed by Delta Air Lines (23%), United Airlines (20%), Allegiant Air (9%), Southwest Airlines (9%) and Frontier Airlines (6%).[14]

AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Allegiant Air Las Vegas, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, Punta Gorda (FL), St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Seasonal: Austin,[15] Chicago–Midway,[16] Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Los Angeles, Nashville,[17] Sarasota 		[18]
American Airlines Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix–Sky Harbor [19]
American Eagle Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Washington–National
Seasonal: Miami[20] 		[19]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Delta Connection Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–LaGuardia, Salt Lake City [21]
Frontier Airlines Denver
Seasonal: Orlando 		[22][23]
Southwest Airlines Denver, Las Vegas, St. Louis
Seasonal: Phoenix–Sky Harbor 		[24]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare, Denver [25]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental [25]

Cargo
DSM cargo apron
AirlinesDestinations
FedEx Express Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Madison, Indianapolis, Memphis
UPS Airlines Burbank, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Chicago/Rockford, Hartford, Louisville, Miami, Newark, Ontario, Philadelphia, Portland (OR), Sacramento, Spokane

Air National Guard

The Air National Guard has used the airport for decades.

With the 2013 departure of the IA ANG's 132d Fighter Wing's F-16s, the unit that had flown manned aircraft for more than 70 years diversified its missions. expanding to include RPA, ISR and cyber warfare units.

These mission changes created some debate over the base's status as an aeronautical base, as the Des Moines Airport attempted to void the base's lease and charge 'fair market value', 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 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, Iowa Army National Guard, from Boone, IA to the base, occupying the hangars that formerly held F-16s. [26] 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 RPA operations as aeronautical. [27]

With the addition of the Army National Guard unit to the base, a transition to a joint base status has begun. Eventually, Air Force operations will occupy the area to the west of the main gate, while Army operations will occupy the east.

Statistics

Annual traffic
YearPassenger statisticsPercent change
20132,201,388 5.8%
20142,319,431[28] 5.4%
20152,365,643[29] 2.0%
20162,483,924[6] 5.0%
20172,578,308[30] 3.8%
20182,773,207[31] 7.6%
20192,919,904[32] 5.3%

Top destinations
Busiest domestic destinations from DSM
(November 2019 – October 2020)[33]
Rank Airport Passengers Carriers
1 Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 109,260 American, United
2 Denver, Colorado 99,530 Frontier, Southwest, United
3 Phoenix, Arizona 71,550 American, Southwest
4 Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 71,290 American
5 Atlanta, Georgia 56,890 Delta
6 Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota 49,600 Delta
7 Charlotte, North Carolina 49,200 American
8 St. Louis, Missouri 39,720 Southwest
9 Las Vegas, Nevada 34,430 Allegiant, Southwest
10 Detroit, Michigan 33,060 Delta

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.[34] Airframe icing was a factor in the accident.[35]

On December 1, 2007, a United Express plane carrying 44 passengers slid off a taxiway while taxiing to the runway for takeoff. No one was injured, but the airport was closed for seven hours after the incident because of the winter storm moving through the area.

On March 13, 2008, Delta Connection Flight 4704, an Atlanta-bound Bombardier CRJ-200 operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, was delayed more than five hours when a mouse was discovered shortly before take-off from DSM. Officials delayed the flight to inspect the plane for any damage that the mouse may have caused. Maintenance crews checked wiring and components on the aircraft. The flight took off at 11:39am.

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.[36]

On March 18, 2016, an American Airlines plane made an emergency landing at DSM after reporting smoke in the cockpit. The plane carried almost 200 passengers. It was traveling from Chicago to Phoenix when it made the landing.[37]

References
  1. http://ir.allegiantair.com/news-releases/news-release-details/allegiant-announces-aircraft-base-des-moines-bringing-new-jobs
  2. FAA Airport Form 5010 for DSM PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective Jan 5, 2017.
  3. "Des Moines International Airport" (PDF).
  4. https://www.dsmairport.com/webres/File/about-the-airport/statistics/2018/12Dec2018.pdf
  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. "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com.
  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.
  10. "Enplanements for CY 2010" (PDF, 189 KB). faa.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2011.
  11. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 3, 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. http://ir.allegiantair.com/news-releases/news-release-details/allegiant-announces-aircraft-base-des-moines-bringing-new-jobs
  13. "Brooks Borg Skiles AE LLP - Government - Des Moines Airport".
  14. "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com.
  15. "Allegiant Announces Largest Service Expansion In Company History With 3 New Cities And 44 Nonstop Routes". Allegiant Airlines.
  16. "Allegiant Announces Largest Service Expansion In Company History With 3 New Cities And 44 Nonstop Routes". Allegiant Airlines.
  17. Gilbertson, Dawn. "Allegiant adding five new nonstop routes, three to Nashville, two to Florida". USA TODAY.
  18. "Allegiant Air". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  19. "Flight schedules and notifications". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  20. http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2019/20-New-Routes-for-Summer-2020/default.aspx
  21. "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  22. "Frontier". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  23. https://flightaware.com/live/findflight?origin=KMCO&destination=KDSM
  24. "Check Flight Schedules". Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  25. "Timetable". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  26. Guard: Move helicopters to Des Moines
  27. Upton, Peters bills signed by President
  28. Aschbrenner, Joel (January 13, 2014). "Des Moins Sets All Time Flier Record. Delta Now Top Airline". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  29. "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com.
  30. "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com.
  31. "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com.
  32. "Statistics" (PDF). dsmairport.com.
  33. "Des Moines, IA: Des Moines International (DSM)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. March 2020.
  34. "N41447 Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  35. "NTSB Identification: MKC79FA007". National Transportation Safety Board. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  36. "Plane Crashes at Des Moines Airport". Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  37. KCCI. "Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Des Moines".

Sources
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