The Wilmington International Airport

IRPORT T he Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is a primary commercial service airport with general aviation services, located just north of Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. The Airport was originally named Bluethenthal Field, dedicated on May 30, 1928, for Arthur Bluethenthal, a young Wilmingtonian who was killed while flying for the French, before the U.S. entered World War I. During World War II, the airfield was used by the United States Army Air Forces for antisubmarine patrols and training, using P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. The Army expanded the airfield with three new 7,000-foot runways, and after the war, deeded the site back to New Hanover County for use as an airport. In the 1950s, the Airport became known as the New Hanover County Airport; in 1988, it added “International” to become known as the New Hanover County International Airport. On December 17, 1997, the New Hanover County Airport Authority, the governing body that operates the facility, officially changed the name to Wilmington International Airport. Today, ILM is served by three commercial carriers: American, Delta, and United. The three network airlines connect the local business AT A GLANCE THE WILMINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WHAT: A primary commercial service airport with general aviation services WHERE: In New Hanover County, North Carolina WEBSITE: www.flyilm.com Always looking ahead