ILM ranked #1 in growth over three year period across major U.S. airports

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Over a three year period, Wilmington International Airport had the most growth of any major US airport.

During the period from July 1, 2022, through June 2025, ILM had a 66% increase in its seat capacity growth according to the airport.

“Thank you, airline partners for your investment in ILM! The record setting growth ILM has experienced, now 39 months in a row, is a testament to what a strong business market and growing leisure destination Wilmington is,” stated Jeff Bourk, ILM Airport Director. “The collaboration between the County, Visitors’ Bureau, Chamber, and other public and private sector partners has been critical in supporting the new service.”

Nonstop routes at ILM grew from 9 nonstop routes to 29 nonstop routes, growing at an exponential rate of 222%.

Early this summer, for example, JetBlue started nonstop service to Boston, United started service to Denver, Avelo added routes to Houston, Detroit, DC, and Islip, and Breeze announced service to Islip, AkronCanton, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa.