ILM prepares for busy Labor Day weekend travel

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Millions are planning to squeeze out the last bits of summer by taking to the skies or heading out on the road for Labor Day weekend.

For Wilmington International Airport (ILM), this weekend will finish off the busiest summer ILM has ever had, with the airport well on its way to setting another record for passengers served in a year.

Triple-A says a record number of Americans will be on the move this weekend, as much as a 9% increase from last year.

Airport director Jeff Bourke said the airport has seen an equal number of people coming to and leaving Wilmington for the holiday.

“We’ll right now, about 65% of our traffic is leisure with about 50% of those being split,” Bourke said. “Half of them originating away, coming in and coming to see us, and the other half going out to go see friends and family or go visit some of the great destinations we fly to.”

If you are traveling this weekend, it is good news for your wallet as Triple-A says they’ve seen a 2% decrease in the cost to travel domestically this year compared to last year.

And if you’re traveling by car, the best times to travel are after 12 pm Saturday and after 7 pm Monday evening.