With more room coming to Wilmington International Airport (ILM), officials there wanted to find out what passengers might want to see, buy or eat as part of the growing airport's ongoing and upcoming terminal expansion.

According to a news release Friday, ILM recently developed and shared a passenger survey, "with a goal of receiving customer feedback regarding ILM’s future terminal and amenities," and the survey received more than 4,000 responses. 

“Moving forward, ILM will share relevant information with consultant groups, meet with current concessionaires, respond to potential concessionaires, and incorporate passenger feedback into phase 3 of the terminal expansion," said Carol LeTellier, ILM's business development director.

According to the release, some insights the survey provided include that:

• Food choices/restaurants/bars, charging/outlets and coffee/coffee shop are some of the favorite airport services/amenities that passengers use while traveling through airports (nationally or internationally).
• When traveling through ILM, passengers stated they are most likely to use 1) premium wifi, 2) a work/quiet zone and 3) a common use or V.I.P lounge.
• Passengers shared they are most likely to patronize a local business.
• Passengers expressed interest in grab & go food options.
• Passengers stated the meal they were most likely to purchase (at an airport) is breakfast.
• The type of menu passengers were most interested in seeing included: 1) locally/regionally sourced and/or farm to table, 2) specialty coffee & café items such as baked goods or sandwiches and 3) traditional “American” (burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, etc). There was also interest in a (local) brewpub.
• When asked what restaurant they’d love to see at ILM, top places mentioned included: Chick-fil-a, Port City Java, Starbucks and a local restaurant (in general). Numerous local restaurants and coffee shops were mentioned.
• Passengers stated they were most likely to patronize retail with news/souvenirs/sundries or a Coastal/Cape Fear inspired shop.
• When asked what retail they’d love to see at ILM, top responses included local (local art/local gifts/local store) and None/Don’t Need/Not Interested.

The survey responses were reviewed, analyzed and presented to the New Hanover County Airport Authority this week, the release stated, and an analysis can be found on ILM’s website.

“It’s important to our team to provide a platform for community input," said Erin McNally, marketing specialist, in the release. "Hearing directly from travelers allows us to be educated about what amenities and concessions they would like to see at ILM, and helps shape our planning and decision-making."