(The Center Square) – Wilmington International Airport’s $130 million expansion project, helping take a facility originally built to handle 200,000 passengers annually to welcoming 1.8 million today, is getting a $3 million assist from a federal Airport Improvement Program grant.
The specific part of the project will be the airport’s apron, meaning the places where airplanes load, unload and turn around. Wilmington international’s broader expansion will include more gates, improved aircraft parking and maneuvering, and a step forward to more passenger and airline growth.
The Airport Improvement Program money is user-generated trust funds rather than general federal income tax revenue
American Airlines flies from Wilmington to hubs in Charlotte, Dallas and Philadelphia; Delta flies to Atlanta; and United Airlines flies to Chicago and Denver. Other airlines with service include Breeze, Avelo, JetBlue and Sun Country.
Together, passengers can also fly from Wilmington to Washington’s Reagan National, Baltimore/Washington, Philadelphia, LaGuardia in New York, Newark, Boston, Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Nashville among the other destinations.
“Our airport has grown tremendously in recent years, and the work ahead will allow us to keep pace with the region,” said Jeffrey Bourk, the director of the airport.
He also thanked U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, the 7th Congressional District representative helping secure the grant.
“Southeastern North Carolina relies on Wilmington International Airport to connect our community and support our growing economy,” Rouzer said. “This investment is a major step toward ensuring ILM can accommodate continued growth and better serve our community for years to come.”
Also announced in this round of Airport Improvement Program grants by the FAA were $40.9 million to San Antonio International, $17.5 million to Abilene Regional and $16.6 million to Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming.
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