Print
More News

Airlines Canceled More Than 150 ILM Flights Because Of Florence

By Christina Haley O'Neal, posted Oct 8, 2018
The Wilmington International Airport lost several commercial flights because of Hurricane Florence.

Airlines canceled 153 flights at the Wilmington International Airport (ILM) through the storm, which made landfall on the Carolina coast Sept. 14, said Julie Wilsey, ILM's airport director.

The last commercial flight prior to the hurricane's impact was on the evening of Sept. 12. The first flight to resume at the airport post-storm was the morning of Sept. 18. 

“We went five full days without any [commercial] flights and the day leading up to Sept. 12 and [following], Sept. 18 and 19, were partial flights,” Wilsey said.

When asked about damage estimates and revenue impact, Wilsey said, "It’s too early to have an accurate impact on ILM’s storm damage and lost business." Those numbers would likely be released in November, she said.

In its investor update released Oct. 2, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines reported that Hurricane Florence negatively impacted pre-tax income by an estimated $30 million. Delta is one of three commercial carriers at ILM, which also is serviced by United Airlines and American Airlines.

Wilmington's airport sustained damages to several buildings during the storm, Wilsey said, adding that wet areas of the facility and other buildings have been cleaned up and restoration will follow later.

"Overall, ILM returned to operations as quickly as possible," Wilsey said in an email. "Full restoration of all facilities will take time as we wait for insurance adjusters, FEMA and contractors to provide work estimates."

Parking lots at the airport were open and free from 8 p.m. Sept. 12 until noon Sept. 21.

"When the booths opened on Friday, Sept. 21 we implemented a reduced flat rate payment for remaining travelers impacted by Hurricane Florence," Wilsey said. 

Everything at the airport is operating to FAA and TSA regulations at this time, she said. 

Although ILM lost commercial flights, at least one runway was open through most of the storm, and aircraft operations -- a take-off or landing of any aircraft -- exceeded the daily average at the airport for seven days after the storm.

These aircraft included helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft of military responders and corporate traffic. 

"We were an important point of entry when the roads flooded," Wilsey said.

ILM averages 159 operations daily, Wilsey said. Post-storm, ILM exceeded that average seven days in a row, from Sept. 17-23.

Operations at the airport dropped to zero between Sept. 13-15. Aircraft activity picked up again after the storm, and the highest numbers were reported Sept. 17 and 18, with 554 and 560 operations, respectively. 

The activity included private airplanes that delivered supplies and people to the area during the storm. And the military and U.S. Coast Guard were also based out of Air Wilmington for emergency flights, Wilsey said. 

Among the activity, Operation Airdrop, a Texas-based a nonprofit organization founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, conducted operations at ILM as well as other smaller airports in Southeastern North Carolina to get much-needed supplies to the region, such as medical supplies and baby formula, Wilsey said.

“It’s pretty impressive the amount of activity at the airport, particularly if you think the amount of days that the area had flooding … You can see the airport was used heavily to sustain and support the community,” Wilsey said.
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Chris coudriet

A Public Service Profile on Creating Beauty in Our Community

Chris Coudriet - New Hanover County Government
Dave sweyer 300 x 300

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

Dave Sweyer - Sweyer Property Management
Jimheadshot

The Wilmington Construction Market: Trends, Recognition, and Challenges

Jim Hundley - Thomas Construction Group

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

Topsail-area Realtors Share Updates

Pender County Realtors recently shared updates about the coastal market at an event hosted by the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Associa...


MADE: Polyhose Inc.

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


Q&A: Andrews Reflects On Leadership

Pender County Manager David Andrews is slated to retire this summer after 33 years in local government....

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