Air traveler numbers at Wilmington Airport exceed half a million, aligning with growth plans
**Wilmington Airport Expands Services and Destinations**
Wilmington International Airport (ILG) is making strides in improving travel experiences for passengers, with the addition of a luxury motorcoach connection service to Philadelphia, a new baggage carousel, and an upcoming terminal expansion project.
The motorcoach service, offered by American Airlines, allows travelers to book ILG as their origin, go through TSA seamlessly, check bags at Wilmington Airport, and travel in comfort. This service is a testament to the airport's commitment to enhancing convenience for passengers.
In terms of destinations, Avelo Airlines has been a driving force behind the growth at ILG. The most popular routes so far this year include Orlando and Fort Myers, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. These routes remain the core focus for upcoming travel seasons, with no new destinations announced beyond this list.
Avelo Airlines has extended its East Coast flight schedule, including the Wilmington hub, through February 2026. This extension reaffirms the existing network of destinations, which includes Orlando, Fort Myers, San Juan, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale. Fares for select routes start at $37 for travel between January 8 and February 8, 2026.
Looking ahead, the terminal expansion project at ILG is expected to finish by fall 2025. The project will add an additional gate for more destinations and planes, expand restrooms and passenger terminal areas, and include a TSA-dedicated PreCheck line.
ILG is also joining the Sunflower network, which trains airport staff to better assist passengers with hidden disabilities. This move further enhances the airport's commitment to providing a comfortable and inclusive travel experience for all passengers.
Since Avelo Airlines began service in February 2023, the airport has seen a significant increase in commercial air traffic. More than half a million passengers have traveled through Wilmington Airport since then, with about 156,000 passengers using the airport during the first half of 2025, up 20% compared to the same period last year.
Jennifer Oberle-Howard, deputy director of communications and marketing at the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), cited low parking fees, shorter security lines, and the new luxury motorcoach connection service as key reasons behind the airport's recent growth.
Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy stated that their goal was to provide travelers with affordable, convenient, and reliable air service, and they have achieved this. The airport's expansion and the continued service from Avelo Airlines are set to make Wilmington International Airport an even more attractive option for travelers in the coming years.
The expansion at Wilmington International Airport (ILG) is not limited to travel experiences, as it also includes a terminal project aimed at adding more gates for increased destinations, enlarging restrooms and passenger areas, and installing a TSA-dedicated PreCheck line.
The enhancement in travel experiences is not just confined to air travel, as Wilmington Airport (ILG) is also joining the Sunflower network, which trains airport staff to better assist passengers with hidden disabilities.
Moreover, the aviation industry's growth is evident in the rise of financial support, with Avelo Airlines extending its East Coast flight schedule, including the Wilmington hub, through February 2026. This move reflects the commitment of the finance sector to the growth and development of the transportation sector, particularly aviation and travel.
