The Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is stepping into a new era of air travel with a terminal project that reflects not just growth, but ambition. Now at the official halfway point of construction, DSM is no longer a quiet regional hub—it’s rapidly positioning itself as a serious Midwest transit player with carriers asking about sending bigger planes.
The new terminal, scheduled to open in January 2027, will initially house 13 to 19 gates, but by 2029, has potential to reach up to 24 gates depending on carrier interest, according to executive director Brian Mulcahy who took questions from IowaPodcast.com during a press event. That’s more than double the current capacity.
Growing pains: late night delays & parking
Because of ongoing construction, Mulcahy and his team have been running simulations on how to best address delays. His team predicts the late night 9p – 12a rush will be a focus. Due to a temporary strain on available gates, the airport is preparing ground strategies to tow aircraft from gates to allow passengers to deplane, while still housing carriers planes that stay the night and need space for morning flights.
DSM will also be offering three hours of free late-night parking, giving an alternative to people picking up loved ones or friends from the airport. As construction tightens drop off and arrival space, the free late-night parking should alleviate the late-night traffic load.
Photos of new Des Moines International Airport
More parking opens June
A new parking ramp with up to 2,800 stalls opens next month (June) followed by a rental car center in early 2026, which former exeuctive Kevin Foley announced on The Iowa Podcast. Even ride-share logistics are being reworked, with Uber and Lyft pickups possibly shifting into the garage for smoother flow.
7/1/25 Update: Des Moines International Airport has officially opened the expanded section of its parking garage.
The airport has added over 1,100 new covered spaces and increasing total capacity by 63%. Completed by The Weitz Company, the garage now includes enhanced features such as a red/green light stall guidance system, real-time availability boards, and soon, color-coded pillars for easier vehicle location.
A redesigned traffic flow and new EZ Pick-Up area help reduce congestion, with free short-term waiting available nightly. This milestone marks a major step toward improving convenience and accessibility for Iowa travelers.
Caseys Pizza Cafe?
With more space in the new terminal come new vendor opportunities. Sarah Hoodjer, comms director for DSM confirmed they’re working with Casey’s on bringing its famous Iowa pizza to the terminal—a small touch that sends a big message: DSM isn’t losing its Iowa soul in the face of expansion. Hoodjer also discussed favoring local Iowa businesses, Iowa craft beers, and Iowa food over national chains.
Engineering Changes
The airport has been an engineering feat itself. One particular surprise was the discovery the land in which DSM occupies may have been a riverbed many years ago. The Weitz and construction and engineering teams implemented soil stabilization practices to ensure the future of the airport is stable, underscoring the scale of the effort.
Also worth noting, the current baggage claim area will become administrative space in the near future, and a new de-icing pad will go live by October of this year, saving passengers time in winter flights.
Des Moines isn’t waiting to catch up—it’s building ahead. And when the gates open in 2027, this airport will reflect a city and a region ready for what’s next.
Key Updates
- Terminal Opening: January 2027 (Phase 1: 13–19 gates; Phase 2: up to 24 gates by 2029)
- Parking Ramp: Opens June 2025 (1,700–2,800 stalls)
- Free Parking: 3 hours free from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Rental Car Center: Opens January 2026
- De-icing Pad: Done by October 2025
- Late Night Congestion: 10 p.m.–12 a.m., delays likely (plan accordingly)
- Gate Towing Strategy: Implemented to manage congestion
- Uber/Lyft: May relocate pickup to parking garage
- Baggage Claim: Old space becomes admin building
- New Logo: Possible rebrand in progress
- Food: Casey’s pizza coming to terminal
- Engineering Note: Terminal built on old riverbed, soil stabilization required