Wilmington Airport: Why Ilm?

Wilmington International Airport (IATA: ILM) is a public airport located just north of Wilmington, North Carolina. The airport's name is ILM, and signage around the airport says ILM Airport. The airport began in 1927 as Bluethenthal Field, named for aviator Arthur Bluethenthal, the first Wilmingtonian to be killed in World War I. In the 1950s, the airport became known as the New Hanover County Airport. In 1988, the airport added International to its name. On December 17, 1997, the New Hanover County Airport Authority changed the name to Wilmington International Airport.

Wilmington Airport is called ILM because it's the airport's three-letter code name

Wilmington International Airport, located in North Carolina, is called ILM because it is the airport's three-letter code name. This is a common naming convention for airports, with other examples including LAX, JFK, and PDX. While the Wilmington airport website and signage mostly refer to the airport as ILM, its full name is included in the URL (flyilm.com) and is occasionally seen on signs.

The airport's original name was Bluethenthal Field, named after Arthur Bluethenthal, an American footballer and decorated World War I pilot who was the first Wilmingtonian and second North Carolinian to be killed in the war. Over the years, the airport's name has changed several times, reflecting its growth and changing ownership. In the 1950s, it became the New Hanover County Airport, and in 1988, the name was changed to the New Hanover County International Airport to reflect its expanding international operations. Finally, in 1997, the airport's name was changed to Wilmington International Airport to align with its hometown and community support for its growth.

The history of the Wilmington International Airport dates back to the early 1920s when aviation enthusiasts and military planes used a small grass strip located between Floral Parkway and Audubon Boulevard. By the mid-1920s, the growing aviation community proposed that the county build a dedicated landing field. Civil engineer J.L. Becton began staking out the new airfield in May 1927, and the first landing was made by Warren Pennington later that year. On Memorial Day, May 30, 1928, the field was officially named Bluethenthal Field.

The airport has undergone significant growth and improvements over the years, including the addition of runways, terminals, and other infrastructure. It has been utilised for military flight training during World War II, served as an emergency abort landing site for the Space Shuttle, and accommodated various commercial airlines. Today, Wilmington International Airport is the fourth-largest airport in North Carolina in terms of customer numbers and continues to expand to meet the needs of its growing passenger base.

The airport was named Bluethenthal Field in honour of Arthur Bluethenthal, a World War I pilot

In 1927, the same year the airfield was named after him, Bluethenthal's fellow aviation enthusiast, Warren Pennington, flew his 15-year-old girlfriend, Anna Feenstra, to the airfield. Pennington gave his girlfriend a flying certificate the following year, and the couple later married.

Bluethenthal Field was dedicated on Memorial Day, 30 May 1928, to honour the fallen hero of Wilmington. The airfield's history, however, goes back to the early 1920s, when a grass strip located between present-day Floral Parkway and Audubon Boulevard attracted aviation enthusiasts and military planes. By the mid-1920s, Wilmington had outgrown this small strip, and early aviation enthusiasts proposed that the county build a new landing field. Civil engineer J.L. Becton began work on the new airfield in May 1927, and it included two runways. The first landing was made by Warren Pennington in 1927, and the airfield's steady growth began in 1929 when Coastal Plains Airways began operations.

During World War II, the airfield was used by the United States Army Air Corps, who remained there for the duration of the war. After the war, the federal government declared the airfield surplus property, and it was deeded to New Hanover County at no cost. In the 1950s, the airfield was renamed the New Hanover County Airport, and in 1988, it became the New Hanover County International Airport. In 1997, it was renamed once more and given its current name: Wilmington International Airport.

The airport's location between NYC and Miami makes it a desirable entry point to the US

Wilmington International Airport, or ILM, is located in North Carolina, halfway between New York City and Miami. This makes it a desirable entry point to the United States, especially for those travelling to the East Coast. The airport's location makes it a convenient stop for international flights, and it has a separate terminal dedicated to serving these flights.

The airport's history dates back to the 1920s, when aviation enthusiasts and military planes used a grass strip located between Floral Parkway and Audubon Boulevard. By the mid-1920s, Wilmington had outgrown this small strip, and a group of early aviation enthusiasts proposed that the county build a new landing field near Gordon Road. Civil engineer J.L. Becton began staking out the new airfield in May 1927, and it included two runways. The first landing on the new airfield was made by Warren Pennington, who flew down from Rocky Mount in an American Eagle airplane.

On Memorial Day, 30 May 1928, the field was named Bluethenthal Field in memory of Arthur Bluethenthal, the first Wilmingtonian and second North Carolinian to be killed in World War I. He was also a former All-American football player and decorated World War I pilot.

Over the years, the airport has undergone various renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and larger jets. In the late 1980s, an independent autonomous body, the New Hanover County Airport Authority, was established to manage the airport. The airport's name was changed to Wilmington International Airport in 1997 to align with its growth strategy and adopt a name that connects with its hometown.

Today, Wilmington International Airport continues to grow and expand, with plans to improve infrastructure and technology to handle the increasing passenger numbers, which are projected to reach one million annually. The airport's convenient location and ongoing developments make it a desirable entry point to the United States.

In 2023, ILM served a record-high number of passengers, totalling 1,317,897

In 2023, Wilmington International Airport (ILM) served a record-breaking number of passengers, totalling 1,317,897. This number includes both enplanements (661,287) and deplanements (656,610). The airport's two runways and single terminal with eight gates have been accommodating an increasing number of passengers in recent years, leading to ongoing renovations and expansions.

The airport's popularity is due in part to its location on the coast, halfway between New York City and Miami, making it an attractive, less busy entry point to the United States. ILM's growth can be traced back to the early aviation enthusiasts of the 1920s who advocated for a designated landing field in Wilmington. By 1927, the airfield, then known as Bluethenthal Field, was officially named and had accommodated its first landing.

Over the following decades, the airport expanded its operations, with various airlines establishing routes to and from Wilmington. In the 1950s, the airport was renamed the New Hanover County Airport, reflecting its growing significance. The addition of 'International' to its name in 1988 further emphasised its expanding reach.

Today, ILM continues to grow, with plans for further infrastructure development to accommodate the increasing passenger numbers, which are projected to reach one million annually. The airport's economic impact on the region is significant, contributing $2.5 billion and supporting 13,550 jobs.

The airport has been on a growth trajectory due to its connections to many cities in America and beyond

The Wilmington International Airport, commonly referred to as ILM, has experienced significant growth over the years, solidifying its position as North Carolina's fourth-largest airport in terms of customer numbers. This growth trajectory can be attributed to its expanding connections to cities within America and beyond.

ILM's history dates back to the 1920s when aviation enthusiasts and military planes utilised a grass strip located between Floral Parkway and Audubon Boulevard. By the mid-1920s, the growing aviation community advocated for a dedicated landing field. This led to the establishment of Bluethenthal Field in 1927, named after Arthur Bluethenthal, a decorated World War I pilot and the first North Carolinian to die in the war.

The airport's growth gained momentum in 1929 with the arrival of Coastal Plains Airways. During World War II, the airport served as a crucial command centre for the US Air Force. After the war, the airport underwent a period of expansion and improvement, attracting the interest of commercial airlines.

In the 1950s, the airport was renamed the New Hanover County Airport, and in the late 1980s, it became the New Hanover County International Airport. This period marked a significant shift in the airport's economic significance, attracting larger passenger carriers. The airport's name was officially changed to Wilmington International Airport in 1997 to align with its growth strategy and foster a stronger connection with the city of Wilmington.

Today, ILM offers connections to various destinations within the United States, including Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington. The airport also serves as a gateway to international locations, providing access to the west coast, Central America, and Asia. This diverse range of connections has contributed to its growing popularity.

To accommodate the increasing passenger numbers, the airport has undergone several expansion projects. In 2018, a $86 million terminal expansion project was initiated, focusing on improving TSA and DHS baggage screening facilities, expanding ticketing areas, and renovating the concourse and security checkpoint. Additionally, long-term plans include improvements to infrastructure, such as expanding parking areas and realigning Airport Boulevard.

The airport's growth trajectory is expected to continue, with passenger numbers projected to reach one million annually. ILM's expanding connections, both domestic and international, coupled with ongoing infrastructure developments, solidify its role as a key economic player in the region.

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