Nonstop air service helps businesses grow and prosper. 

Through convenient nonstop flights, business development teams are able to build relationships in-person, entrepreneurs can meet with investors, and product developers can collaborate with their partners, to name a few.

In speaking with Natalie English, CEO with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, she shared that the new nonstop flights offered at the Wilmington International Airport (ILM), such as United’s daily nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare, will help local businesses grow in a variety of ways. 

Here are 3 ways in which new nonstop air service helps businesses grow and prosper:

1.  Increased access to new geographic markets: In addition to nonstop access to Chicago, the nonstop flight from ILM to ORD will also open up markets beyond Chicago. Numerous cities (domestically and internationally) will now be easy to get to with just one connection. For example, there are 80 connecting domestic markets beyond Chicago O’Hare including numerous west coast destinations, such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Denver and many more. For local companies who do business abroad, United’s global network provides seamless connections for international travelers with their 35 Star Alliance members. 
2. Time savings: There are tangible and intangible costs of doing business. As the saying goes, “time is money.” This is especially true for the small start-up and entrepreneurial companies with a handful of employees. Nonstop service means you can get from Point A to Point B quicker, and with less chance of a delay. Business travelers are able to dedicate more time to making a great first (or ongoing) impression with their clients. Travelers are also able to get home quicker, allowing more time after their flight to either get back to the office and catch up on work or get home to their loved ones.
3. Hosting Prospects: The ability to directly bring prospects to the Wilmington community benefits business recruitment efforts and local business growth. North Carolina’s four-county Cape Fear region – including Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties –  is the ideal intersection of infrastructure, resources and lifestyle crucial to a successful business start-up, expansion or relocation. The addition of convenient nonstop flights helps showcase the accessibility of the region and why companies should “Choose Cape Fear.” 

Existing businesses also benefit. Local businesses have more options to fly-in prospective clients and employees. Alcami, for example, frequently hosts business development meetings and client audit visits in Wilmington. It makes a wonderful first impression when they are able to personally pick-up and welcome clients and then seamlessly bring them to their Executive office just minutes from ILM’s front door. 

The addition of daily nonstop flights to new geographic markets, such as United’s daily service to Chicago O’Hare (ORD), provide additional opportunities for business growth and development.ILM is proud to offer new options to the business community, and we look forward to seeing businesses take off.

Julie Wilsey has been the Airport Director of Wilmington International Airport (ILM) since December 2013. After six years as an Army Engineer officer, Julie joined the ILM team as the Director of Facilities.Since 1999, she has helped ILM grow with airfield and facility improvements, completing over $100 million worth of capital projects. A career milestone includes earning her accreditation as an airport executive with the American Association of Airport Executives in 2008. Julie holds an MBA from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. An active member of the community and aviation industry, Julie serves on the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission, the NC Aviation Task Force, Cape Fear Area United Way Board of Directors the Downtown Wilmington Rotary Club, WILMA, the North Carolina Airport Association and the Southeast AAAE. Julie is married to LTC (Ret) Donald Wilsey, USA, has a stepdaughter, Lauren, and two cats.