The Wilmington International Airport could soon release bids to find a firm that will help evaluate its growing parking needs.

Since adding United Airlines, the airport's third carrier in April, ILM has seen an increase of paying vehicles at its parking lots throughout 2018, said Granseur Dick, ILM’s planning and development director.

During the New Hanover County Airport Authority meeting this week, officials presented information about the development of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the selection of a professional services firm to evaluate its parking needs and a potential parking expansion.

It would be the first dedicated parking study conducted at the airport, he said.

“Wilmington seems counter to national trends where parking demand is decreasing. And due to the fact that we are continuing to see growth in parking demand, we want to make sure that we are very careful in our planning of potential parking expansions,” Dick said.

That’s why ILM is seeking guidance to make those parking expansion decisions. Dick said the airport anticipates a study will include both short- and long-term solutions to address the airport’s parking needs.

Advertisements for the study could come through in a bid process just ahead of Christmas, he said. A selection of a firm to conduct the study could be made in early 2019.

Since the bid process is developing, the airport does not yet have a budget for the study.

Based on the demand, Dick said that whatever short-term solutions the study may provide "we would look to go ahead an implement it immediately."