History & Future of ILM

It was the early 1920’s and the grass strip located between present-day Floral Parkway and Audubon Boulevard attracted many aviation enthusiasts and military planes. It’s hard to imagine that what started almost 100 years ago has now evolved into ILM. To appreciate how much ILM has grown, I’d like to revisit Bluethenthal Field and the history of ILM.

By the mid 1920’s, Wilmington had already outgrown that small grass strip and early aviation enthusiasts such as Neal Kelly Sr., Denyon Woody, Jack Orrell and Warren Pennington went before the County Commissioners and proposed that the county build a landing field on a county-owned tract of land near Gordon Road. By May of 1927, J.L. Becton, civil engineer, began to stake out the new airfield – to include two runways, one 1700 x 230 feet, and the other 1750 x 230 feet. The first landing on the new airfield was made in 1927 by Warren Pennington who flew down from Rocky Mount in an American Eagle airplane. On May 30, 1928, Memorial Day, the field was named Bluethenthal Field in memory of Arthur Bluethenthal, first Wilmingtonian and second North Carolinian to be killed in WWI.

The airport’s steady growth and improvement began in 1929 when Coastal Plains Airways began operations. By 1941, the airport covered 634 acres and several airlines were bidding to include Wilmington in their routes. During WWII, military flight training was set up at the airport through the National Civilian Pilot Training Program. On December 8th, 1941, the Army Air Corps moved onto Bluethenthal Field and remained for the duration of the war. At its height, the airport offered a complete bomber command station and facility support including a hospital and administrative offices. After the war, the federal government declared Bluethenthal Field surplus property, and under the Surplus Property Act of 1944 the facility was deeded to the county at no cost to New Hanover County.

In 1950, a large modern terminal building replaced the existing wooden one and a control tower was built. By 1968, runway renovations were approved to accommodate Boeing 737 jets. A 1975 file speech to the Exchange Club of Wilmington recaps investment at the airport since 1941 including $11M by the Army Air Corps, $6M by the FAA, $3M by the Navy, $2.6M by the Air Force and $1M by the county.

After years of discussing the need, the county and Airport Commission, in 1980 authorized a concept study for a new terminal complex, also known as the present-day terminal. In 1989, the General Assembly ratified NC Chapter Bill 404 and Senate Bill 410, enabling the county to establish an official independent and autonomous Airport Authority. The bill authorized the County Commissioners to appoint an authority of five members. On July 1, 1989, a lease was signed between the county and the Airport Authority authorizing the Authority to lease and manage the airport. On September 15, 1990, the new 88,000 square-foot terminal was dedicated.

From that initial grassy strip on Floral Parkway to the current runways, ILM has come a long way over the years. Our growth, however, is far from over. ILM is currently researching ways to expand for the future. These plans include terminal, concessions, parking, ramp, and jet bridge expansions. In addition, the ILM Business Park continues to grow with new buildings and tenant partners.

The early aviation enthusiasts previously mentioned may have never thought their hard work and dedication would have evolved into such a key economic player in this region. According to the most recent N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation report, ILM has a $2.5 billion economic impact on our region, supports 13,550 jobs, and generates $113 million in tax revenue. As the 5th largest airport in North Carolina, we will continue to grow and further the aviation presence in southeastern North Carolina, a concept that has well preceded our time at ILM.

Future Plans

  • Continue to pursue air service development initiatives to include nonstop routes, increased capacity and/or frequency, and additional carriers.
  • Continue to support and grow general aviation.
  • Support business park tenant development.
  • Learn more about our future improvements at ILM