The Wilmington International Airport’s terminal expansion project is moving forward with some work happening at an accelerated pace, according to a recent update by the airport's leader.

Light passenger traffic at the airport has given ILM the opportunity to push some of the expansion work forward, ILM Airport Director Julie Wilsey said in a recent newsletter with other updates on the airport.

ILM, as well as airports across the country, have seen far fewer travelers due to COVID-19, which has impacted the airline industry as a whole.

The most recent ILM passenger figures showed traffic was down 47% for March compared to that month the previous year. Airport officials attributed the drop in travelers due to COVID-19 flight impacts.

“Since construction is considered an essential service, the work on ILM’s terminal expansion continues. Local firm Monteith Construction, the lead contractor on the expansion project, implemented additional safety measures for all jobsites,” stated the news update.

“These measures allow jobsites to remain open and active, while following the latest best practices, guidelines and recommendations as offered by the CDC and OSHA,” according to the update. “With less passengers coming through the airport, Monteith has been able to spread out a bit further and work more efficiently to complete some elements of the project ahead of schedule while minimizing impacts to the traveling public.”

Monteith Construction Corp. has been hired to perform work in all three phases of the $60 million airport expansion and renovation project. Work on the project's first phase is complete, and phase two of the project is slated to wrap this summer.

The Wilmington-based construction firm posted a video this month, a walk-through of what the future expansion will look like. The company began work on phase three of the project earlier this year, according to airport documents.

The third and final phase includes renovating the existing terminal and will build a new concourse, expand the TSA checkpoint area and add additional gates. It will also add more dining and retail space to the airport.

Construction has started on the airport’s expanded gate area concourse, stated the letter. The work will include building new concession space, restrooms and seating areas.

An expanded checkpoint area is also nearing completion, the letter stated.

“Once TSA receives and installs the new screening equipment, this 3rd security lane will be open and operational. This 3rd lane is an additional standard lane that will allow TSA to screen more passengers at peak travel times,” stated the newsletter.

ILM in March, however, was informed by TSA that a percentage of its workforce at the airport was placed on safety leave, a move that occurred on a national scale. TSA at the time said it would operate security lanes at ILM based on available TSA staffing. 

Construction is also happening at the airport's ticket wing. ILM is adding new floors, ceilings accents, and the new ticket counters are slated to be installed by mid-May.

Terrazzo floors are being installed in this area.

"The terrazzo floors will continue throughout the airport circulation areas in the later phases of the project," the letter stated. "There will be carpet installed in sitting areas as well as in queuing areas to aid in sound dampening."