Wilmington Int’l Airport (ILM) is in the final phase of a 3 Contract program worth approximately $61 million to expand the airline terminal. Although the project began in 2018, much of the work to date, was accomplished in 2020 as a result of fewer passengers due to the pandemic.
“The Terminal Expansion project has been a highlight of 2020,” said Julie A. Wilsey, Airport Director. “We chose to move ahead with the construction, expediting a few items to take advantage of low passenger activity.”
Highlights of the expansion include a new concourse, concessions, gathering spaces, additional gates and boarding bridges. Additional features include an expanded TSA passenger checkpoint and additional airline and tenant operations areas.
Work on the expanded concourse, which is ongoing and part of the final phase, has a construction cost of $47.2M, and includes 63,000 SF of additional space which will house a new restaurant, increase concessions space and the addition of four new gates.
The project is on track with a completion date set for December 2022. Portions of the terminal, including the new gates, will open to the public at the end of the 2021 calendar year ahead of total completion. “This expansion will give ILM the capacity to meet the travel needs of our fast-growing region while providing a refreshed look, modern conveniences and more space for customers in the post-pandemic world,” said Granseur Dick, P.E., C.M., Facilities Director for ILM.
“The Cape Fear Region continues to grow rapidly,” said Wilsey, “and the Terminal Expansion project will enhance passenger amenities while adding gate capacity to accommodate the next 20 years.”
