Wilmington N.C.- As Wilmington grows so too does its airport-in size, space and the number of flights and destinations it serves.
On February 8 an extended wing of the Wilmington International Airport (ILM) was opened to the public. The new concourse features vaulted ceilings, local art, expansive seating and new gates. The expansion started in 2020 and cost an estimated $68 million. The addition increased the total size of the airport by 75%
The hope behind the construction was the extra room would lead current airlines already housed in ILM to add more direct flights. Airport officials also said they hope to attract additional carriers.
“With all our growth and demand, expanding the terminal has been a top priority,” New Hanover County Airport Authority Chair Donna Girardot told attendees of a ribbon cutting ceremony. “We want to ensure ILM has increased to a capacity to accommodate our current and future for us.”
Just three days after the unveiling passengers boarded an inaugural nonstop flight to and from Newark, New Jersey. The route becomes ILM’s ninth non-stop flight and according to airport officials it has been a top request from travelers. ILM already provided direct service to New York but the addition of a New Jersey destination makes life a lot easier for folks from the Garden State. One traveler who frequently flies to Wilmington didn’t even realize she was on part of a history making flight “I noticed it was new, because I usually fly from LaGuardia. Which is a hassle to get to. But I didn’t know it was the first flight,” said Emily Babiss, who traveled from Newark to Wilmington to see her parents.
Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. are the other direct flights offered out of and into Wilmington.
With the new concourse area open, one gate at a time at the old concourse – first constructed in 1989 – will close to undergo renovations. Once complete, ILM will have a total of nine gates. Construction of an expanded baggage claim area, additional gates and other renovations are expected to be complete by the summer of 2023.
