Des Moines International (KDSM), Iowa
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Des Moines International, KDSM, is Iowa's principal air carrier and business aviation gateway, sitting just under five nautical miles from downtown Des Moines. The field pairs two runways exceeding 9,000 feet with a control tower and onsite CBP inspection services, supporting a mix of scheduled airline, military, and business aviation traffic. FAA TFMSC data shows the airport handling nearly 55,000 total operations in 2025, of which roughly a quarter were business aviation movements, reflecting its role as a regional hub for both commercial and corporate flying.
Runways
Des Moines International has two paved runways. The longest, 05/23, is 9,004 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Des Moines International has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Des Moines International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Des Moines International recorded 13,971 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in June, August and October. Business aviation traffic at KDSM is concentrated in the warmer months, with operations counts in August and October notably higher than the winter low points of January and February.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 1,345 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Des Moines International averages 8.7 days above 90°F in July, 29.5 freeze days in January and 3.2 snow days in February. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85.6°F, and January the coldest, at 30.9°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Des Moines International has published operating constraints in seven categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, noise procedures, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
The Runway 05 approach end has limited visibility from the tower, and the tower cannot easily identify whether an aircraft is over the hold short line at Taxiway P7. Runway 05 arrivals should use caution and ensure correct alignment with Runway 05 rather than Taxiway P.
The ARNG ramp is available for military and military-contracted aircraft on official business only, with limited support. Prior permission is required; contact the applicable office for coordination. The FBO will provide contract fuel. Military crews can contact HAWKI on frequency 252.9.
Maximum aircraft weight on the South GA apron is 170,000 pounds; all other FBO aprons are limited to 80,000 pounds.
A321 aircraft are limited to 190,000 pounds on Runway 5-23 and Taxiway P. A321 aircraft exceeding 190,000 pounds without an airport authority waiver will be assigned Runway 13-31 by ATCT.
Use caution when landing over raised lights in the overruns and runway thresholds at Des Moines International.
Informal noise abatement procedures are in effect; expect ATC to assign the preferred runway.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR value: 696/R/D/W/T.
The IANG South Ramp has a PCN of 78 R/B/W/T. The IANG West Ramp has a PCN of 87 R/B/W/T.
The PAPI is unusable beyond 9 degrees right of centerline.
Contract fuel is not available.
Cross-bleed engine starts are prohibited on the air carrier ramp.
The terminal apron taxilane is limited to ADG III aircraft only, except ADG IV aircraft are permitted at Gate 25 only.
An FBO is located at the North GA apron.
The terminal apron taxilane is limited to ADG III aircraft only, except ADG IV aircraft are permitted at Gate A4 only.
The terminal apron taxilane is limited to ADG III aircraft, defined as wingspan less than 118 feet, only. ADG IV aircraft, defined as wingspan less than 172 feet, are permitted at Gate A4 only.
The terminal apron de-ice spot N2 and its associated taxilane are limited to ADG II aircraft unless coordinated with IDS on frequency 129.875.
No taxiing is permitted between Gates 24 and 26.
No taxiing to terminal Gates 21, 23, or 25 from Taxiway D1 is permitted when an aircraft is parked at remote spot R6; request Taxiway E instead.
Enter the terminal de-ice pad queue from Taxilane N; do not enter the pad from Taxilane N4.
Wingtip clearance on Taxiway P east of Taxiway D is limited to 121.5 feet; caution is advised for ADG V and larger aircraft.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Des Moines International has five airfields within 29 NM. The closest is Ankeny Regional (KIKV), 10.40 NM northeast.
Part of the Des Moines and Iowa area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KDSM
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KDSM.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runway length is available at KDSM?
Des Moines International offers two paved runways of comparable length: Runway 05/23 at 9,004 feet and Runway 13/31 at 9,001 feet. Both are concrete surfaces 150 feet wide, sized for large business jets and air carrier aircraft. This gives crews a choice of alignment depending on wind and noise abatement assignments from ATC. KDSM's field elevation is 958 feet. The dual long-runway configuration is a key reason this field supports heavy transport category traffic at a regional airport.
Is there a weight limit for the A321 at KDSM?
Yes, Des Moines International restricts A321 aircraft to 190,000 pounds on Runway 5-23 and Taxiway P. Operators exceeding that weight need an airport authority waiver, and without one, air traffic control will provide Runway 13-31 instead. This is a designation-specific limit rather than a field-wide restriction, so dispatchers should confirm which runway assignment applies before planning a heavier A321 movement. The limit reflects pavement considerations tied to that specific runway and taxiway combination at KDSM.
What are the general aviation ramp weight limits at Des Moines International?
Des Moines International sets a maximum aircraft weight of 170,000 pounds on the South GA apron. All other FBO aprons at the field are limited to 80,000 pounds. Dispatchers planning heavier general aviation movements should confirm which apron a handler will assign before committing to a ramp. These limits are separate from the runway pavement strength figures and apply specifically to parking areas rather than movement surfaces. Ramp assignment at KDSM directly affects which aircraft weights can be accommodated.
Does KDSM have customs clearance available for international arrivals?
Yes, Des Moines International has CBP inspection services onsite along with a USDA compliance agreement. This allows international arrivals to clear customs directly at the field rather than routing through a separate port of entry. Operators should still coordinate clearance requirements in advance given the compliance agreement structure tied to USDA processes. KDSM's onsite customs setup supports both business aviation and scheduled international operations at this Iowa gateway. No nearest alternate customs airport is listed, reflecting that clearance is handled onsite.
How busy is Des Moines International and when does business aviation traffic peak?
Des Moines International, KDSM, recorded 54,921 total annual operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, with 13,971 of those classified as business aviation. Monthly bizav traffic is concentrated in the warmer months, rising from around 1,000 operations in winter months to peaks above 1,300 in August and October. This seasonal pattern means ramp and handling demand at KDSM is noticeably higher in the second half of the year than in January or February. Dispatchers scheduling flexible trips may find more capacity available during the winter months.