Des Moines airport consultant David Fisher has set up a series of meetings with state lawmakers and with Gov. Terry Branstad to continue building support for $420 million expansion that would include a $312 million terminal.

It’s show time for Foley: Des Moines needs more flights   General Manager Kevin Foley told the Des Moines airport board Tuesday that the airport will have to lobby hard for new flights if it expects to reach the 3 percent annual growth in passengers projected as part of a $420 million proposal to build a new terminal and other facilities. Read what airline he has been courting lately. Read more

The airport hired Fisher to come up with a plan to plug a projected $200 million shortfall in the financing. A large share of that shortfall would go away if Congress approves a proposed increase in fees that passengers pay for airport facilities. But Fisher, a former aide to Branstad, also is looking for state and local government grants, companies willing to buy naming rights, and corporate financial backing for the terminal.

News this week from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP bolstered the case for the terminal, Fisher told the Des Moines Airport Authority Board on Tuesday. USA Today reported that the company expects air travel to double by 2035 worldwide. PwC said that means the airline industry needs better infrastructure, more pilots and a plan to work through the ups and downs of fuel prices.

Fisher said Wall Street has been pounding airline stocks, suggesting that the carriers need to add seats and cut fares. “They aren’t doing it,” he said.

For his part, Fisher has been meeting with labor leaders; business leaders in Ames, Boone and Indianola; and Paul Trombino, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation.

In a few months, he said, the conversation will turn to specifics on how to finance the Des Moines project, which also will include shuffling operations around the airport grounds to improve efficiency.