06 August . 2024
Your Gateway to Wilmington: ILM, of course!
There was a time that the Wilmington International Airport could be described as “quaint.” It fit. But, today, while still smaller than most airports, ILM offers an ease of travel that gets one’s vacation, or business trip, off to a great start and easy finish.
An investment of $69 million provided for an extensive expansion that was completed in 2023. Today, the airport has two runways and nine gates that will get you anywhere you want to go, with fewer connections required than in our “quaint” days. Non-stop flights are available to Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Fort Myers, Hartford, Miami, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Tampa, Orlando, Philadelphia, West Palm Beach, Wilmington, Delaware; Washington, D.C. and Boston. Wow! Some flights are on a seasonal schedule, and most are daily, but not all.
Another measure of ILM’s growth is the number of airlines it serves: American, Delta and United, in addition to their commuter spinoffs American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express. ILM also welcomes the ultra low-cost airlines Sun Country and Avelo, providing travelers with ultra-economical options.
A news alert in the first week of August announced that another discount carrier, Breeze Airways, will begin offering four nonstop routes to and from ILM in February 2025. The destinations will be Hartford, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Providence.
Breeze Airways is ILM’s third discount carrier, along with Avelo Airlines and Sun Country Airlines, and the airport’s sixth carrier overall.
ILM just might be one of Oprah’s Favorite Things
One might ask, after reviewing that list of destinations, why ILM is an “international” airport. One word: Customs.
ILM is one of very few locations on the east coast where planes returning from overseas may land to clear US Customs and Border Protection. So “international” doesn’t refer to commercial flights, so much as charter and private flights.
There’s even a separate terminal, ILM’s International Terminal, meaning far fewer chance encounters with paparazzi. That is why there has long been buzz that celebrities use ILM when returning to America from overseas, Oprah among them; at least that’s the rumor.
Local artists create a sense of place
Next time you’re travelling through, take a moment to enjoy the public art installations that were awarded as part of the recent airport improvements. A large Venus Flytrap is featured on the entry lobby’s terrazzo floor, representing the carnivorous plant that is native to the Cape Fear Region. (Did you know it only occurs naturally with 100 miles of Wilmington?)
Following security, find the Loggerhead Labyrinth, another terrazzo-installed artwork that invites a meditative walk, good for calming pre-travel jitters. Just beyond is a life-size metal sculpture of a laurel oak, inviting travelers to “set a spell” on the classic white rockers beneath.
Even the architecture is reflective of the city: the new concourse features high arches and tresses that were inspired by the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.
There is more to come
ILM is continuing to expand and improve with projects that will increase passenger capacity and access, expand parking, replace aging infrastructure, and improve ADA compliance and energy efficiency.
This video shows potential designs for the arrival/departure curb front and will leave you eager for the future – whether you’re coming to or departing from the Port City.