Print
Government

Airport Seeks Chicago Flight, Renewal Of City's Grant Support

By Cece Nunn, posted Feb 20, 2017
The director of Wilmington International Airport said Monday that ILM officials are close to landing a nonstop flight from the Port City to Chicago.

The statement was part of a request by ILM director Julie Wilsey to Wilmington City Council members to renew the city's pledge of $50,000 in support of a U.S. Department of Transportation economic development grant.

The grant, which came three years ago with a $750,000 commitment from the U.S. DOT and resulted in $211,000 in community pledges, aims to improve nonstop routes from ILM, Wilsey said. New Hanover County had pledged $100,000 in support of the grant, which was set to expire last month, Wilsey said.

"But we were able at ILM to get a one-year extension, so we got another 12 months to try to be successful,” in getting an airline to offer what officials hope will be a Chicago or Dallas-Fort Worth nonstop flight, Wilsey told council members during their agenda briefing Monday morning.

“We think we’re very close to a carrier who is interested in Chicago,” Wilsey said.

The Windy City is one of ILM passengers’ most popular destinations not currently served by a nonstop flight, Wilsey told the council. Although the grant support was also sought three years ago, the effort came at a time when airlines were cutting back on routes, but a push to gain more nonstop routes has continued, she said.  

Last year, ILM set a new overall record by serving more than 815,000 passengers. Those who fly out of ILM can currently find regular, nonstop routes to Charlotte, New York, Atlanta and Philadelphia, according to the airport’s website.  

In 2011, American Airlines affiliate American Eagle announced two daily nonstop flights from Wilmington to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. But direct flights to well-known destinations have come and gone in ILM’s history, and the Chicago offerings ended in April 2012.  

On Monday, Councilwoman Margaret Haynes asked Wilsey when the airport will again be able to offer a direct flight to and from Washington, D.C.

“We’re still trying to get that as well. That is not a qualifying nonstop for this particular grant … but we always have Washington airports on the list,” Wilsey said.

At the end of the airport discussion at Monday’s meeting, City Manager Sterling Cheatham said that a resolution regarding the renewal of the city’s $50,000 commitment in support of the grant would likely be on a council meeting agenda in March.
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign4

Paving the Way to Better City Streets

Tony Caudle - City of Wilmington
Dave sweyer 300 x 300

Insights into the 2023 Leasing Market in Wilmington, NC: What You Need to Know

Dave Sweyer - Sweyer Property Management
Jasonpathfinder3

What You Need to Know About SECURE 2.0 and Its Effect on Retirement Plans

Jason Wheeler - Pathfinder Wealth Consulting

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

Park Progress

The planning for Pender Commerce Park began in the early 2000s when the county wanted to create an economic driver on its largely rural west...


MADE: Polyhose Inc.

Polyhose manufactures and fabricates hose protection, paint hose assemblies and rubber hydraulic assemblies from its Pender County facility....


Hacking Cyberdefense Shortage

A shortage of cybersecurity professionals influenced professor Ulku Clark and her team to slowly evolve UNCW’s offerings to now include eigh...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments