The Des Moines Airport Authority Board this week changed its incentive package for airlines that offer new flights from Des Moines. 

The new version will apply to qualifying seasonal flights. Previously, the board had required an airline seeking the incentives to offer the new service for at least a year. 

Airport Executive Director Kevin Foley said the markets have changed since the program began on July 14, 2015. The one-year requirement was intended to sort out airlines that would establish service at an airport and then leave in a month or two. 

That isn’t happening now, Foley said. What is happening is the major airlines sometimes are offering flights to hot spots for winter or summer escapes, booking the flights only for a few months a year. An example is Allegiant Air’s service to Los Angeles in summer. 

The incentive program offers up to $250,000 in advertising and marketing assistance in qualifying situations. The airport also waives airport fees of up to $200,000. 

The board also decided to expand a new parking garage system that indicates with small red and green lights whether a space is available or not. The system, which has been tested on part of the garage, will now be used in all parts of the structure, beginning in late summer. 

Foley said parking is getting tight at times during the winter getaway season, but the airport has the option of paving another 250 spaces in its surface lots. It also can temporarily reclaim 300 spots now assigned to rental cars in a pinch.