Travelers passing through Des Moines International Airport may have noticed the extensive construction underway—but there's good news on the horizon. The $445 million Lift DSM terminal expansion project is halfway complete, and officials say the upgrades will bring sweeping changes for travelers across central Iowa.

“We had the groundbreaking in October of '23 and now we've got about 18 months to go,” said Brian Mulcahy, the airport's executive director.

The project, one of the largest infrastructure investments in the region, aims to address growing passenger demand and modernize outdated facilities. As air traffic in Des Moines has steadily increased, the current terminal has struggled to meet the needs of airlines and travelers alike.

“We're hoping to solve some of the pinch points we've had as traffic has grown,” Mulcahy said during a construction update on Wednesday.

The new terminal will feature 19 gates—an increase of 50% in aircraft capacity—along with expanded security screening areas, additional dining and shopping options, and a modernized layout designed for comfort and convenience.

Travelers will also benefit from a new meet-and-greet space, giving families and friends a more comfortable place to welcome arriving passengers.

“People can sit and see their families go through security or arrive off a plane,” Mulcahy noted.

In addition to the terminal expansion, a new five-level parking garage is set to open this June, bringing over 1,000 new parking spots. To reduce summer curbside congestion, airport officials are introducing a creative incentive: free parking after 9 p.m. for up to three hours, encouraging drivers to wait in the garage rather than crowd the terminal's pickup area.

“People have just gotten used to parking on the curb, you know, sitting on the curb, waiting for their passenger to come out of the terminal,” Mulcahy said. “We're just asking that they sit in the parking garage instead.”

Looking further ahead, airport leaders have additional projects in the pipeline. A new rental car facility is expected to open by January 2026, and a dedicated de-icing pad is in the works to streamline winter operations and increase efficiency on the tarmac.

Together, these upgrades are part of the airport’s vision to transform DSM into a more capable and traveler-friendly hub that can support future growth in both passenger and airline activity.

For ongoing updates, airport officials encourage the public to follow progress under the hashtag #FlyingProgress—a campaign tracking the transformation of Des Moines’ gateway to the skies.

Originally reported by Meghan MacPherson in We Are Iowa.