This Insights article was co-written with Erin McNally, Marketing, Air Service Development, & Public Relations Manager. 

In 2025, ILM participated as a speaker or panelist in 63 engagements and community events. During those conversations, several recurring questions came up about the airport’s growth, infrastructure projects, and future plans. 

Over the coming months, we will share a series of short articles addressing some of the most frequently asked questions about flights, airport construction, and the broader business of airports.  To begin the series, we’re focusing on common travel-related questions about airlines and flights at ILM. 

How many airlines currently serve ILM? 

ILM is currently served by seven airlines: American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Breeze, Avelo, and Sun Country. That mix includes both legacy carriers and low-cost airlines, giving travelers a range of options in terms of destinations, schedules, and price points.  

Is Avelo growing service back at ILM? 

Yes, they are. When Avelo closed its Mid-Atlantic bases, it simply meant the airline stopped basing aircraft in those markets. However, Avelo continues to operate nonstop service from ILM to select popular destinations, so travelers can still fly the airline directly from Wilmington. 

How many nonstops are there? 

Airlines at ILM currently offer 31 nonstop flights serving 25 destinations. Five markets—Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Minneapolis–St. Paul, LaGuardia, and Tampa—are served by multiple carriers, providing travelers with added flexibility and scheduling options. 

How many one-stop connections are there? 

Travelers flying from ILM can reach nearly 400 destinations worldwide with just one connection. That includes 243 domestic destinations across the United States and 142 international destinations. Through ILM’s network of nonstop routes and airline hub connections, passengers have convenient access to major business and leisure destinations around the globe. 

What months are busiest at ILM?  

ILM is fortunate to have a healthy mix of business and leisure travelers, which helps drive strong passenger demand throughout the year. Summer is typically the airport’s busiest season, with July consistently ranking as the busiest month. Visitor traffic is especially strong during the spring and fall, when travelers are drawn to the region’s beaches, historic downtown, and outdoor attractions. During the summer, fall, and holiday travel periods, ILM also sees significant outbound demand from local residents. This balanced mix of inbound and outbound travel helps support steady passenger volumes year-round. 

How many passengers use ILM each year?  

2025 was a record year at ILM, with 1.8 million passengers traveling through the airport. Compared with 2019, the number of passengers boarding flights at ILM increased by 67%, highlighting the airport’s significant growth over the past several years. The increase reflects both the strength of the southeastern North Carolina market and airlines’ continued investment in new routes and expanded service. 

Do you expect ILM’s numbers to continue to increase? 

Yes, we expect the growth in ILM’s passenger numbers to continue. Capacity at Wilmington International Airport is up year-over-year, January-August 2026, due to an increase in service from nearly all air carriers. That growth reflects the strength of the Wilmington market, which continues to benefit from steady population gains, a diverse economy, and strong visitor demand. With key sectors such as healthcare, higher education, tourism, and professional services continuing to expand, southeastern North Carolina remains an attractive place for both residents and businesses. Taken together, those factors create a solid foundation for continued air service and passenger growth in the years ahead.