ILM anticipates record-setting Memorial Day weekend and summer season

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington International Airport is bustling with activity as thousands of people fly in and out of the airport for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

For some travelers, like Rebecca Albarelli, who flew in from Dallas for a girls’ weekend with some friends, their trips weren’t as bad as expected.

“Actually, it wasn’t too bad,” Albarelli said. “It’s going to get worse cause of everyone getting out of school. But I left pretty early this morning so, it wasn’t bad at all.”

She is just one of more than 3.5 million Americans AAA expects to fly this Memorial Day weekend.

For other travelers like Ben Jerden, a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, this weekend is extra special.

“Knowing my brothers and sisters who have died for our country are being celebrated,” Jerden said. “And cause I come from a military family and my grandpa just recently passed away. He was in the Army.”

Airport director Jeff Bourk expects this weekend to be huge for ILM, which is becoming more common.

“Well, we expect this holiday weekend to be a record, a record weekend, as well as another record month at ILM,” Bourk said. “Record summer, more travelers in and out of ILM than ever before.”

It was smooth sailing for many passengers as there were no cancellations and few delays.

Jerden is looking forward to the travel coming to a halt, as people remember the fallen.

“I come from a long line and it means a lot knowing that they’re still being recognized, cause they gave their life and served for something and it’s not just forgotten about.”

If you plan to fly out of ILM on Memorial Day weekend, make sure to get to the airport an hour to more before your flight begins boarding, in case of increased wait times at security.