Print
Government

ILM Snags Resumed Route, Nearly $3.8M In Federal Funds

By Johanna F. Still, posted Dec 20, 2021
Wilmington International Airport will receive $3.78 million from the federal infrastructure bill that passed last month. (File photo)

Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is set to receive nearly $3.8 million from the sweeping $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which President Joe Biden signed into law last month. 

The Federal Aviation Administration first announced the airline allocations Dec. 16, with $2.8 billion heading to over 3,000 airports across the nation. Funds will derive from a new initiative created by the infrastructure law, the Airport Infrastructure Grant program. Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Oak Island netted $295,000, and the Odell Williamson Municipal airport in Ocean Isle Beach will receive $159,000. 

With a $3,781,091 allocation, ILM was awarded the fifth-most funds in North Carolina, behind Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Asheville. 

Airports can utilize the funds for investments in “runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections and roadway projects,” according to the FAA

The money could help ILM offset costs for multiple projects still in the planning phase, according to Granseur Dick, the airport’s facilities director. Local staff was aware the infrastructure bill included funds for airport improvements, but before the FAA’s announcement Thursday, didn’t know how much would be carved out for ILM, Dick said. “This is still early in the process so we are still learning ourselves,” Dick wrote in an email. 

ILM is in the midst of a $68 million expansion, which will add on four new gates. At its meeting last month, the airport authority tacked on another $6.89 million to the three-phase project to expand and renovate the baggage claim lobby, expand the ramp-level bag receiving area, and replace claim devices with modernized equipment.

The multi-million-dollar move was the third most eye-catching decision the authority made that meeting, after signing off on leases that will lure an estimated $120 million in investment and naming a new airport director.  

At its following meeting held earlier this month, the airport authority approved three supplemental agreements: one expands its contract with Monteith Construction Co. to plan for an added project, estimated at $3.2 million, for a new passenger boarding bridge at the current gate six, relocating a bridge and for bridge accessories; the others add $580,000 for construction administration services associated with the bridge and baggage add-ons. 

“ILM is grateful for the support of Congress and the FAA for our continued efforts to improve and expand our aviation infrastructure, building facilities that are safer while more efficiently meeting the demands of our national air transportation system,” Dick wrote in an email.

Monday morning, The Points Guy reported that Delta was adding five flights to its lineup amid cutting 10 regional pathways. ILM was among the five resumed flights, all originating from LaGuardia Airport in New York. 

ILM spokesperson Erin McNally said the airport is thankful Delta plans to restart nonstop ILM-LGA service “and increase it to daily service, beginning June 6th.”

The round-trip flight will depart ILM to LGA at 12:20 p.m. and leave LGA for ILM at 10 a.m. 

"As we continue to constantly evaluate our route network based on customer demand, we’re excited to be able to offer this additional air service to the community of Wilmington," a Delta spokesperson wrote in an email.

Since June, passenger trends at ILM have been consistent with pre-COVID numbers. 

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign2 9202334730

Best in the State: Providing Quality Care to Medicare and Medicaid Patients Allows Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Reinvest in Community

Novant Health - New Hanover Regional Medical Center Novant Health
Screenshot2022 01 06at338 162234623

Food is the Foundation for Prosperous Communities

Girard Newkirk - Genesis Block
Jane

The Childcare Cost Dilemma

Jane Morrow - Smart Start of New Hanover County

Trending News

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

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

Rezoning Could Bring 123 Townhomes To Growing Leland Corridor

Emma Dill - Mar 25, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

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

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

In The Current Issue

INFO JUNKIE: Jack Fleming

Jack Fleming, owner of Socialry Marketing & Scourz and emcee for 1 Million Cups Wilmington, shares his media and tech picks....


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...


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