Lois Larson
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. The airport has undergone many renovations and expansions in recent years due to an increase in the number of passengers. ILM currently offers nonstop service to 28 locations and access to over 500 destinations with one layover.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Wilmington International Airport |
| Airport Code | ILM |
| Owner | New Hanover County |
| Leased to | Wilmington Airport Authority |
| Airport Director | Jeffrey/Jeff Bourk |
| Chair | Spruill Thompson |
| Board Members | 7 |
| Operating Base for | Avelo Airlines |
| Number of Nonstop Flights | 28 |
| Number of Destinations with One Layover | 500+ |
| Year Renamed to Current Name | 1997 |
| Year of Current Expansion Project | 2025 |
| Expected Completion Year of Current Expansion Project | 2026 |
| Amount Allocated for Current Expansion Project | $400 million |
| Amount Received in Grants for Current Expansion Project | $53,606,864 |
| Number of Parking Spaces | 1,900 |
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What You'll Learn
Wilmington International Airport's history
The history of Wilmington International Airport (ILM) dates back to the 1920s when it was just a small airstrip. Early aviation enthusiasts, including Warren Pennington, Neal Kelly Sr., Denyon Woody, Jack Orrell, and others, advocated for the county to build a landing field. In May 1927, civil engineer J.L. Becton began planning the new airfield, which included two runways. Later that year, Pennington made the first landing at the new airfield, flying in from Rocky Mount in an American Eagle airplane.
On Memorial Day, May 30, 1928, the airfield was named Bluethenthal Field in honour of Arthur Bluethenthal, a former All-American football player and decorated World War I pilot who was the first North Carolinian to die in the war. In 1929, Coastal Plains Airways began operations at the airport, marking the beginning of its steady growth and improvement.
During World War II, the airfield was used by the United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force for anti-submarine patrols and training with P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. The Army expanded the airfield with three new 7,000-foot runways. After the war, the federal government deeded the airfield back to New Hanover County at no cost, and it became known as the New Hanover County Airport in the 1950s.
In February 1948, Piedmont Airlines began commercial flights to Wilmington, using it as one of its initial crew bases. The airline was acquired by USAir in 1989, which later became US Airways in 1997 and merged with American Airlines in 2013.
In the late 1980s, the New Hanover County Airport Authority was established as an independent autonomous body to manage the airport. In 1988, the airport's name was changed to New Hanover County International Airport to reflect its ability to comply with international standards. This name lasted until December 17, 1997, when it was changed to Wilmington International Airport.
Over the years, the airport has undergone various renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. In 2006, the FAA Airport Improvement Program awarded the airport over $10 million for improvements, and in 2008, a new terminal was built for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to process international passengers. Today, ILM is the fifth-largest airport in North Carolina, offering convenience, hospitality, and connections to destinations worldwide.
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Airlines and destinations
The Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is located just north of Wilmington, North Carolina, in unincorporated Wrightsboro. It is the fifth-largest airport in North Carolina and is owned by New Hanover County, which leases the airport to the Wilmington Airport Authority for $1 per year until 2049. The airport is an operating base for Avelo Airlines and offers nearly 500 destinations through 28 non-stop flights.
Wilmington International Airport has been serving the region since the 1940s, with Piedmont Airlines beginning commercial flights to the airport in February 1948. Over the years, the airport has expanded its routes and now offers a variety of domestic and international destinations.
The airport currently offers seasonal routes to major cities in the United States, including Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Chicago/O'Hare, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Providence, Washington/Dulles, and Wilmington, DE/Philadelphia. These routes provide convenient connections to other parts of the country and beyond.
In addition to these seasonal routes, the airport also offers daily flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is a major regional hub. US Airways introduced these flights in the 2000s after lobbying from the Wilmington community. The airline also added nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in 2011.
American Eagle also provides service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, which offers connections to the West Coast and Asia. This route was reinstated in 2018 after initially being discontinued in 2012.
For international travel, the airport has a separate terminal for private and charter flights, with a 24-hour U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility. This terminal was built in 2008 to accommodate the increasing number of international flights to and from the airport.
With its convenient location and range of destinations, Wilmington International Airport provides easy access to domestic and international travel options for residents and visitors to the region. The airport's ongoing expansions and improvements aim to enhance the travel experience and cater to the growing number of passengers choosing to fly from Wilmington.
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Current airport director
The current airport director of Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is Jeffrey Jeff Bourk, A.A.E. The airport is owned by New Hanover County, which leases the airport to the Wilmington Airport Authority for $1 per year until 2049. The lease was extended for another 30 years after it originally expired in 2019.
The airport is undergoing many renovations and expansions to meet the increasing demands of tourist traffic. In 2021, eight nonstop flights were available out of ILM, and the airport now provides nonstop service to 28 locations. With one layover, passengers travelling from Wilmington have access to over 500 destinations across the globe.
In March 2025, Bourk presented the expansion project to the Wilmington city council. The expansions include a hotel, additional gates, parking, and an expanded loading zone. The project is expected to be complete by fall 2026, with nearly $400 million in construction projects currently underway.
The airport is also working to improve its parking situation, as it currently has roughly 1,900 parking spaces, which is 600 short of what is needed. A new parking garage and a cell phone lot will help the airport meet the demand. Rental car companies are paying for half of the new parking garage, demonstrating the increase in tourist traffic.
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Airport renovations and expansions
The Wilmington International Airport (ILM), located in Wrightsboro, just north of Wilmington, North Carolina, has been undergoing various renovations and expansions to accommodate its growing number of passengers.
Terminal Expansion:
The airport embarked on a terminal expansion project to increase its capacity and better serve travellers and airline partners. The project, which cost $69 million, included adding a new outbound bag room, screening equipment, and expanding the ticket lobby, counters, and office spaces. The expansion also involved adding new gate space, seating, restrooms, and concession areas, as well as remodelling the previous gate area and updating the baggage carousel and rental car sections. This project was completed in phases, with the final phase concluding in September 2023.
Runway and Taxiway Rehabilitation:
In 2006, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program awarded the airport $10,526,342. Of this, $3 million was used to enhance runway safety areas, and the remaining $7,526,342 was allocated to expand the apron area and rehabilitate Runway 6/24 and Taxiways B, C, and E. This runway had not been rehabilitated in over 30 years. The rehabilitation of Runway 17/35 was completed in 2014 and received the Ray Brown Airport Pavement Award.
Additional Infrastructure Improvements:
The airport has also been working on improving its infrastructure, including parking facilities and the entrance area. A new parking lot with 950 spaces was approved in June 2023 and completed in November 2023, adding to the existing parking spaces. The airport received a $4 million grant from the FAA in February 2024 to expand and realign the terminal access road and curb. A 1,200-space parking deck and realignment of Airport Boulevard are also planned for completion by 2027.
Long-Term Plans:
The airport has long-term expansion and renovation plans, as outlined in its five-year Vision Plan from 2023 to 2027, with an estimated cost of $165 million. This includes further improvements to the terminal and its amenities, such as adding a hotel, and expanding the loading zone and parking facilities.
The Wilmington International Airport's ongoing renovations and expansions aim to enhance the airport's functionality, capacity, and overall traveller experience, ensuring it remains a convenient and hospitable gateway to southeastern North Carolina.
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Airport reviews
Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is the primary airport serving Wilmington, North Carolina. Located in New Hanover County, the airport is known for its accessibility, efficiency, and southern hospitality. With short check-in and security lines and a friendly atmosphere, ILM provides a convenient and intimate travel experience for both business and leisure travellers.
The airport offers a range of amenities, including beautiful public arts, a putting green, and rocking chairs, reflecting the charm and hospitality of the region. Baggage claim and parking are also reported to be easy and convenient. Carolina Beach, a popular destination for visitors, is just 19 miles from the airport.
ILM serves southeastern North Carolina with major commercial and general aviation services, providing connections to nearly 500 destinations through 28 non-stop flights. Some of the seasonal routes include Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Chicago/O'Hare, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Miami, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
The airport has undergone renovations and expansions in recent years to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. In 2008, a new terminal was constructed for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to facilitate international travel. Additionally, improvements have been made to runway safety areas and the airport's apron area, with awards recognising the high-quality rehabilitation work.
With its blend of convenience, efficiency, and southern charm, Wilmington International Airport offers a unique travel experience for those visiting the vibrant and historic city of Wilmington, North Carolina.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport in Wilmington, North Carolina, is called Wilmington International Airport.
The airport code for Wilmington International Airport is ILM.
Avelo Airlines is the operating base for Wilmington International Airport. Piedmont Airlines, which was acquired by USAir in 1989, was the airport's only scheduled carrier in 1975. US Airways was then renamed American Airlines in 1997. Breeze Airways also operates out of Wilmington International Airport.
There is limited parking at Wilmington International Airport, with roughly 1,900 parking spaces, which is 600 short of what the facility needs. The airport is currently offering parking in a remote lot with a shuttle to the airport.
