Best Airports For Visiting Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington, North Carolina, is a charming city nestled along the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. It boasts a rich history, a vibrant culture, and stunning coastal beauty. The city is known for its picturesque riverfront, historic downtown district, and lively atmosphere. If you're planning to visit Wilmington, you'll likely be flying into Wilmington International Airport (ILM). ILM is known for its hospitality and convenience, offering a seamless travel experience with short check-in and security lines. It serves as a base for Avelo Airlines, which offers direct connections to destinations like Boston, Manchester, and Detroit. However, some travellers mention that the airport is small and has limited flight options with frequent cancellations. An alternative is to fly into a nearby airport, such as Albert J. Ellis Airport in Richlands or Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and then drive to Wilmington.

Wilmington International Airport (ILM)

To visit Wilmington, North Carolina, you can fly into Wilmington International Airport (ILM), located just 7 miles from the city. The airport is known for its accessibility and efficiency, with short check-in and security lines, and a friendly atmosphere. Avelo Airlines operates from the main terminal at ILM, offering direct connections to destinations such as Boston, Manchester, and Detroit. ILM is the fifth-largest airport in North Carolina and offers a convenient and intimate travel experience. It boasts Southern hospitality, with beautiful public arts, a putting green, and rocking chairs. Carolina Beach is just 19 miles away, making it a great option for a quick start to your beach vacation.

The airport provides a range of commercial and general aviation services to southeastern North Carolina. With nearly 500 destinations reachable through 28 non-stop flights, ILM offers connections to major cities such as Baltimore/Washington, Chicago/O'Hare, Denver, and Miami.

While some travellers appreciate the convenience and short lines at ILM, others have noted that the airport is quite small, with limited flight options that are prone to cancellations. For travellers with specific needs or preferences, RDU International Airport in Raleigh, about 147 miles away, offers over 55 non-stop flights and a wider range of connections.

Wilmington itself is a charming city nestled along the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. It offers a unique blend of attractions, including a picturesque riverfront, a historic downtown district with cobblestone streets and antebellum architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. The Riverwalk, a scenic boardwalk along the Cape Fear River, is a popular spot for dining and enjoying breathtaking water views. Visitors can also explore the city's rich history, with various landmarks and sites to discover.

Carolina Beach, 19 miles away

Carolina Beach is a mere 19 miles from Wilmington International Airport (ILM), the fifth-largest airport in North Carolina. The airport is known for its hospitality and convenience, with beautiful public arts, a putting green, and rocking chairs. Baggage claim and parking are a breeze, making it a great start to your beach vacation.

Carolina Beach itself offers a unique blend of vintage seaside charm and modern attractions. The beachside boardwalk, dotted with pizza, doughnut, and ice cream stands, evokes a sense of old-fashioned fun. Nearby, you'll find summer amusements like miniature golf, batting cages, rides, and an arcade. The area also boasts a vibrant food scene, with fresh seafood, tiki bars, and live music venues overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

For nature lovers, Carolina Beach State Park provides miles of alluring beaches, first-class fishing spots, and hiking trails through white sand dunes. Spring break is an especially popular time for families to visit, with its classic seaside adventures and laid-back atmosphere. The area is also known for its unique local characters and slightly out-of-the-ordinary experiences that add to its iconic personality.

Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, Carolina Beach has something for everyone. With its convenient proximity to Wilmington International Airport, it's an easily accessible destination for your next beach vacation. So pack your swimsuit, grab your sun hat, and get ready to create lasting memories on the captivating shores of Carolina Beach.

Avelo Airlines' direct connections

To visit Wilmington, North Carolina, you can fly to Wilmington International Airport (ILM), which is located just 7 miles from Wilmington. The airport is the fifth-largest in the state and offers convenient access to southeastern North Carolina. While Avelo Airlines does not appear to fly to Wilmington, they do serve 51 domestic destinations and 5 international destinations across 6 countries as of March 2025. Avelo Airlines launched in April 2021 and operates within the United States with a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. They focus on providing affordable, reliable, and convenient air travel, priding themselves on their on-time performance and low cancellation rates. Avelo Airlines also offers extra legroom and free seating for children 14 and under with an accompanying adult.

Some of the most popular Avelo Airlines routes include:

• Orlando to New Haven
• New Haven to Fort Myers
• Raleigh / Durham to New Haven
• New Haven to West Palm Beach
• Tampa to New Haven
• Fort Lauderdale to New Haven
• New Haven to Tampa
• Redmond / Bend to Palm Springs
• Burbank to Santa Rosa
• Wilmington to Orlando
• New Haven to Charleston
• New Haven to Myrtle Beach
• Las Vegas to Santa Rosa
• Concord to New Haven
• San Juan to New Haven
• Atlanta to New Haven

Avelo Airlines also provides nonstop, reliable flights to your favourite destinations and is constantly expanding, adding new cities and routes. They fly into smaller airports that are easier to navigate and closer to your final destination, helping you save money on your travel.

RDU International Airport, Raleigh

RDU Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located 147 miles from Wilmington, North Carolina. It is the second-largest airport in the state, behind Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The airport is an operating base for Avelo Airlines and Endeavor Air and a focus city for Delta Air Lines. In 2024, RDU served a record 15.5 million passengers, surpassing the previous year's record of 14.5 million.

The airport's history dates back to 1929 when the region's first airport, Raleigh Municipal Airport, opened south of Raleigh. However, this airport was quickly outgrown, and the Raleigh–Durham Aeronautical Authority was established in 1939 to build and operate a larger airport between Raleigh and Durham. The new Raleigh-Durham Airport opened on May 1, 1943, with flights by Eastern Airlines. The original three runways from 1951 are still visible on the southeast side of the airport.

RDU has experienced fluctuations in passenger numbers over the years, with a decline in 2008 and 2009, followed by stabilisation and growth in 2010. The airport has since seen continuous growth, with Delta Air Lines maintaining its focus city operation even during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the area's strong economy. In November 2022, Avelo Airlines further expanded RDU's offerings by establishing an operating base there.

The airport is controlled by the RDU Airport Authority, which is overseen by a board of representatives from Wake and Durham counties and the cities of Raleigh and Durham. With its convenient location and range of airlines, RDU International Airport is a popular choice for travellers visiting Wilmington, NC, and the surrounding areas.

Albert J. Ellis Airport, Richlands

Albert J. Ellis Airport (IATA: OAJ, ICAO: KOAJ, FAA LID: OAJ) is located in Richlands, North Carolina, and is about 62 miles from Wilmington, NC. The airport is county-owned and open to the public, serving the Jacksonville metropolitan area. It is situated 10-11 miles northwest of Jacksonville's central business district and the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Albert J. Ellis Airport covers 775 acres of land and sits 94 feet above mean sea level. It has a single runway, 5/23, with an asphalt surface measuring 7,100 by 150 feet. The airport handles a variety of aircraft operations, including military, general aviation, scheduled commercial, and air taxi services. In the year ending May 31, 2020, the airport recorded 29,544 aircraft operations, averaging 81 per day. As of December 2020, 26 aircraft were based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, and helicopter categories.

The airport offers convenient transportation options, with taxis, car rentals, shuttles, and limousines readily available. Additionally, there are numerous accommodation choices nearby, with over 17 hotels and motels within a 5-mile radius of the airport. Albert J. Ellis Airport provides a range of dining and retail options for travellers, along with essential services such as ATMs, postal services, shoeshine, recharging stations, and Wi-Fi access.

The airport has undergone significant development in recent years, including the construction of a new passenger terminal building and an air traffic control tower. The terminal, part of a $50-million Terminal Area Redevelopment Program, opened in 2015 and features passenger loading bridges, expanded concession and passenger areas, and space for additional airlines. The six-story air traffic control tower commenced operations in 2018. Furthermore, the airport has improved runway safety and efficiency by upgrading the lighting and signs on the runway and taxiways to LED.

Frequently asked questions