Airport Authority discusses ILM expansion

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Airport Authority met to discuss the future of ILM.

The airport anticipates growth in marketing itself, not as a low cost airport, but a high experience airport.

They are looking at an expansion of 85 percent over the next 20 years one that will begin with an eye toward the future.

“The investment is to keep us there,” said John Perritt, Airport Authority Chairman, “To have a little more shops and a little more restaurant capacity. So we can meet a higher level of consumer want and consumer need. “

The expansion would include new jetways and baggage claim areas but this is just in the preliminary stages.

The goal though is to have the first part of the expansion complete within the next four years.

The total expansion is expected to cost almost $80-million.