Des Moines Flying Service (DMFS), a general aviation sales and service company and authorised HondaJet and Piper dealer, has moved into a new 26,100 sq ft facility located on the south side of Des Moines International airport in Des Moines, Iowa. The move was completed and DMFS opened for business in the new facility on 22 March. The airport's new terminal programming plan necessitated the relocation.

The Des Moines Flying Service facility is connected to the new terminal project. The planning for this project started in 2018 with the purpose of opening land on the northeast side of the campus, clearing the way for a new terminal north of the existing site. Des Moines Flying Service began design for the building in October 2018. Turner Construction was awarded the contract in January 2020 at a cost of $8,743,000.

The facility provides increased capacity with 35 per cent more hangar space for aircraft and operations. Additionally, the move unites Des Moines Flying Service teams including new HondaJet and Piper Aircraft sales, pre-owned aircraft sales, aircraft parts and service, and operations under one roof creating pathways for more efficiency in operations.

“This new facility is larger than the previous operating footprint, and it is laid out well for us to provide optimum service to our customers,” says Steve Thompson, president of Des Moines Flying Service. “It allows for more efficient processes, plus our entire team will be in the same building, enhancing collaboration and streamlining workflow.”

The former facility is slated to be demolished in future years as the airport moves forward with plans to design and build a new airport terminal on the northeast side of the airport campus.

“This project is part of our long-term vision to build a new terminal,” adds Kevin Foley, airport authority executive director. “It's exciting to see the plan coming to fruition with Des Moines Flying Service moving to the southside of the airport and into its new facility.”