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Update 5/29/25: The Des Moines International Airport construction project is at the half-way point. See a video tour and photos here »
Kevin Foley has led the Des Moines International Airport for over a decade and this week, the first week of April he is handing off operations to Brian Mulcahy. In this exclusive episode, Mulcahy introduces himself to Iowans and Foley takes a walk down memory lane, including getting through the emotional period of the COVID-related global shutdown. This interview took place at the DSM Airport on video, between terminals A and C.
Brian Mulcahy joins the airport with aviation experience as a helicopter pilot from the Des Moines National Guard. Mulcahy outlines what the next few years look like and introduces himself to Iowans. Kevin Foley, who has been on The Iowa Podcast several times, takes listeners on a walk down memory lane, and announces new routes and hints at a new airline coming to Iowa shortly.
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With more than a decade of experience at the airport, including roles as Director of Finance and Assistant Executive Director, Mulcahy brings a deep understanding of both operations and vision. As he assumes the top post, his emphasis is clear: continuing the airport’s growth while keeping passenger convenience at the forefront.
Mulcahy’s tenure coincides with a transformative period for the airport. A massive new terminal project is underway, promising to reshape both capacity and efficiency. Initial plans call for the addition of six gates, eventually expanding the airport’s total gate count to 22. Mulcahy, who has overseen much of the financing and planning, expressed confidence in the project’s trajectory and emphasized its role in supporting Des Moines’ expanding travel demand.
Technology, Cleanliness, and Parking: Adapting to a Changing Travel Landscape
While overseeing the new terminal’s development, Mulcahy is also preparing the airport for longer-term technological and societal shifts. Post-COVID behavioral changes have influenced everything from terminal cleanliness to spatial awareness, and Mulcahy notes these trends continue to shape airport planning. A key initiative includes the adoption of self-service bag drops to streamline check-in and reduce bottlenecks.
He also highlighted potential future disruptions, such as autonomous vehicles. With nearly a third of the airport’s revenue coming from parking, Mulcahy acknowledges that self-driving car adoption could significantly impact that business model. Still, his outlook remains pragmatic—identifying areas of concern while investing in infrastructure such as EV charging to maintain value and convenience.
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Flight Expansion and New Carriers on the Horizon
Despite gate constraints, the airport continues to expand service. Three new routes—Boston and Jacksonville on Allegiant, and the return of Philadelphia via American Airlines—will launch this year. Mulcahy hinted at more exciting developments to come, noting that once the new terminal is operational, the case for additional routes and even new carriers becomes far more compelling.
His emphasis on collaboration with airlines, built on transparency and cost-efficiency, has cultivated trust. That foundation is now key to pursuing new service and accommodating greater passenger volumes. Mulcahy also sees increased direct flights as essential in responding to travelers’ desire for reliability and convenience, especially after pandemic-era disruptions.
A Steady Hand for the Future of Iowa Aviation
As Des Moines’ aviation infrastructure scales up, Mulcahy’s leadership centers on one defining goal: maintaining the airport’s hallmark ease-of-use while growing its footprint. From moving de-icing pads closer to gates to reduce delays, to carefully managing cost-per-enplanement metrics to attract carriers, every decision reflects his operational grounding and long-term vision.
Passengers can expect not just a larger airport, but a smarter, more user-focused one—where regional reliability meets national ambitions. Under Mulcahy’s leadership, Des Moines International Airport isn’t just preparing for takeoff. It’s ascending with purpose.