ILM looks back at 2024, while preparing for major projects in 2025

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — As we begin 2025, this is a time to reflect on the previous year.

For Wilmington International Airport (ILM), 2024 was a big year.

In 2024, ILM served more than 1.5 million passengers, which is a 50% increase since 2019.

Airport director Jeff Bourk said new concessions added to the terminal make it more comfortable both for Wilmington residents and out-of-town visitors.

“In the past, it was just non-branded restaurant, basic food,” Bourk said. “You know, now we have a Flying Machine Brewery behind us, Port City Java, Dunkins, Jimmy Johns. So there is a lot more choice and there is a lot more recognizable food brands to people that use ILM.”

Another positive: all of ILM’s carriers added more nonstop flights in 2024.

As for what’s ahead in 2025, the airport will also become an operating base for Avelo Airlines, with dozens of new employees being added.

Bourk said along with improvements inside the terminal, work continues outside as well. Hundreds of new parking spaces will be added, which will help the airport continue to grow.

“So that’s what 25 and 26 will be all about is, is adding the additional curbfront, expanding the parking, looking at the additional of more gates and starting on the design for that, while we do some overall maintenance items like the runway overlay for example.”

A temporary expanded curbfront is expected to be finished by July 2025, with the permanent project expected to be completed in 2026.

Work on a new 1,200-space parking lot is underway, which is also expected to be completed in 2026.