Wilmington International Airport: Size, Growth, And Future Plans

Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is the fifth-largest airport in North Carolina. It is owned by New Hanover County and leased to the Wilmington Airport Authority for $1 per year until 2049. The airport is located 7 miles from the center of Wilmington and offers both domestic and international flights. In recent years, the airport has undergone renovations and expansions to accommodate an increasing number of passengers.

Wilmington International Airport is the fifth-largest airport in North Carolina

The Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is the fifth-largest airport in North Carolina. It is owned by New Hanover County and is leased to the Wilmington Airport Authority for $1 per year until 2049. The airport is located 7 miles from the center of Wilmington, NC, and offers a range of commercial and general aviation services to southeastern North Carolina.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1928 when it was named Bluethenthal Field in honor of Arthur Bluethenthal, a decorated World War I pilot and former All-American football player. During World War II, the airfield was used by the United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force and expanded with three new 7,000-foot runways. After the war, the airfield was deeded back to New Hanover County at no cost.

In 1948, Piedmont Airlines began commercial flights to Wilmington, with its first route connecting Wilmington to Cincinnati, Ohio, with several stops in between. In 1988, the airport added "International" to its name, becoming the New Hanover County International Airport. On December 17, 1997, the name was changed to Wilmington International Airport.

The airport has undergone renovations and expansions in recent years to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. In 2008, a new terminal was built for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and in 2006, a new Visual Approach Slope Indicator ILS was installed for Runway 6/24. The airport has also received awards for its rehabilitation projects, including the Ray Brown Airport Pavement Award for the rehabilitation of Runway 17/35 in 2014.

It is owned by New Hanover County and leased to the Wilmington Airport Authority

The Wilmington International Airport, located just north of Wilmington, North Carolina, is owned by New Hanover County. The airport covers 1,800 acres (728 hectares) and is home to two runways and a single terminal with eight gates. It is conveniently situated halfway between New York City and Miami, making it an attractive and less congested gateway to the United States.

The history of the airport dates back to the early 1920s when a grass strip between present-day Floral Parkway and Audubon Boulevard became a gathering place for aviation enthusiasts and military planes. By 1941, the airport had expanded to 634 acres, and during World War II, it played a role in military flight training through the National Civilian Pilot Training Program. After the war, the airport underwent significant developments, including the construction of a modern terminal and a control tower.

In 1989, the North Carolina General Assembly passed Senate Bill 410 (Chapter 404), authorizing New Hanover County to establish the Wilmington Airport Authority. The airport is leased to this authority by the county for a symbolic $1 per year until 2049, with the original lease having been extended after its expiration in 2019. The Wilmington Airport Authority works closely with the airport director to manage and operate the airport effectively.

Today, the airport continues to undergo renovations and expansions to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. In 2024, the airport served a record-high number of passengers, with a total of 1,465,869 passengers enplaning and deplaning. The airport has a significant economic impact on the region, contributing $2.5 billion to the local economy, supporting 13,550 jobs, and generating $113 million in tax revenue.

The airport is 7 miles from Wilmington, NC

The Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is located just 7 miles from Wilmington, NC. Owned by New Hanover County, the airport is leased to the Wilmington Airport Authority for $1 per year until 2049. The airport is undergoing renovations and expansions to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. These improvements include a new terminal for US Customs and Border Protection, enhancements to runway safety areas, and expansions of the apron area.

The airport was initially named Bluethenthal Field in 1928 to honour Arthur Bluethenthal, a decorated World War I pilot and former All-American football player. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force utilised the airfield for anti-submarine patrols and training with P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. The Army expanded the airfield with three new 7,000-foot runways.

In 1950, the airport became known as the New Hanover County Airport. Later, in 1988, "International" was added to its name, and in 1997, it was officially renamed Wilmington International Airport. Piedmont Airlines commenced commercial flights to the airport in February 1948, with its first route connecting Wilmington to Cincinnati, Ohio, via multiple stops.

Today, ILM is the fifth-largest airport in North Carolina, offering both major commercial and general aviation services to southeastern North Carolina. Its convenient location, just 7 miles from Wilmington, makes it an ideal gateway to the region's beaches and attractions.

It has been renovated and expanded to accommodate more passengers

The Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is owned by New Hanover County and is located 7 miles from the center of Wilmington, North Carolina. It is the fifth-largest airport in the state. Over the years, the airport has undergone several renovations and expansions to accommodate the increasing number of passengers.

In 1928, the airport was named Bluethental Field in honour of Arthur Bluethental, a former All-American football player, decorated World War I pilot, and the first North Carolinian to die in the war. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force used the airfield for anti-submarine patrols and training with P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. The Army expanded the airfield by adding three new 7,000-foot runways.

In 1950, the airfield became known as the New Hanover County Airport. In 1988, the airport added "International" to its name, becoming the New Hanover County International Airport. On December 17, 1997, the airport's name was changed to Wilmington International Airport.

To accommodate the growing number of passengers, the airport has undergone several expansions and improvements. In 2006, the FAA Airport Improvement Program awarded the airport over $10 million, with funds allocated to expand the airport's apron area and improve runway safety. In 2008, a new terminal was built for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to efficiently process international passengers. These renovations and expansions have enhanced the airport's capacity and functionality, making it a convenient gateway to southeastern North Carolina.

The airport was once known as Bluethenthal Field, named after a World War I pilot

The Wilmington International Airport (IATA: ILM, ICAO: KILM, FAA LID: ILM) is located just north of Wilmington, North Carolina, in unincorporated Wrightsboro. Covering 1,800 acres (728 ha), the airport is a mere 7 miles from the center of Wilmington, NC.

The history of the Wilmington International Airport dates back to the 1920s when local aviation enthusiasts, including Warren Pennington, advocated for a proper landing field to replace the small airstrip that existed at the time. Pennington, a renowned flight enthusiast, made history as the first pilot to fly into the airport in 1927, with his 15-year-old girlfriend, Anna Feenstra, as his passenger. Pennington's story adds a romantic twist to the airport's early days, as he later gifted his girlfriend a flying certificate, and the couple eventually married.

Over the years, the airport has undergone various improvements and expansions to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and meet international standards. In the late 1980s, an independent autonomous body, the New Hanover County Airport Authority, was established to manage the airport, leading to progressive developments such as the construction of an 88,000-square-foot terminal.

Today, Wilmington International Airport continues to serve a significant number of passengers, with recent records showing over 1.4 million passengers in 2024. The airport features two runways, an 8,016-foot runway capable of accommodating large aircraft, and a separate terminal for international flights. Its location on the East Coast makes it a desirable entry point to the United States.

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